In West Des Moines Community Schools, various aspects of mathematics are addressed such as numeration, computation, fractions and decimals, time and money, measurement, geometry, statistics and probability, and technology applications.

Mathematical understanding is emphasized through concept development, application, communication, logical thinking, and problem solving, as well as mental math and calculator activities.  Hands-on manipulatives are used to strengthen initial concept development.

Embedded in the District’s mathematics program are these K-12 Mathematics Standards:

• Students will use mathematics to solve problems, communicate, and work with others.
• Students will use measurement skills.
• Students will use reasoning skills, mental mathematics, and estimation skills.
• Students will perform mathematical operations and see relationships among numbers.
• Students will demonstrate a development of spatial sense.
• Students will collect and analyze data.
• Students will use patterns and relationships to solve problems.

The following provides a brief outline of the K-6 mathematics program for West Des Moines Community Schools:

Kindergarten

The process of learning about mathematics involves the use of manipulatives to develop number sense.  Your child will:

• Learn one-to-one correspondence counting
• Count and skip count
• Compare sizes and quantities of objects
• Identify and write numerals
• Identify basic shapes
• Sort and classify objects
• Solve oral story problems
• Develop patterning skills
• Work with money (pennies and nickels)
• Estimate the number of items in a set
• Experience simple addition and subtraction problems using objects or pictures
• Build graphs

First Grade

Mathematics Benchmarks for First Grade:

• Write the correct number sentence to solve a problem
• Measure an object to the nearest inch using a ruler
• Tell time accurately to the hour and half hour
• Use mental math skills (subtraction, addition, sequences, etc.) to accurately solve a problem presented
• Add numbers to 12
• Subtract numbers to 12
• Draw 2-dimensional shapes
• Complete and analyze a simple bar graph
• Skip count by 2s and 5s
• Identify place value in numbers 0-99

Other Points of Emphasis:

• Counting
• Identifying, copying, extending, and creating patterns
• Money (pennies, nickels, and dimes
• Comparing and ordering numbers to 100

Second Grade

Mathematics Benchmarks for Second Grade:

• Use addition or subtraction to solve word problems
• Draw or use a picture to solve word problems
• Tell time to the nearest 5 minutes
• Recognize and count groups of coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters) to 99¢
• Use reasoning skills to solve a problem
• Solve addition facts to 18
• Solve subtraction facts to 18
• Solve 2-digit addition with trading
• Solve 2-digit subtraction with trading
• Correctly draw various plane shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle)
• Gather and organize information to construct a graph (picture, pie, bar) to solve a problem
• Analyze graphs and tables in order to solve a problem
• Identify the numeral in the ones, tens, hundreds place
• Skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s

Other Points of Emphasis:

• Counting
• Identifying, copying, extending, and creating patterns
• Comparing and ordering numbers to 1000
• Using tools to measure length, volume, and weight
• Comparing fractions
• Estimation and logic

Third Grade

Mathematics Benchmarks for Third Grade:

• Apply,  make a list, draw a picture, or use computation strategy to solve a non-routine problem
• Choose proper operations and processes in multi-step problems
•  Tell time to the minute
• Select appropriate estimate measurement for weight of a given object using customary measurement
• Use customary measurement to determine length to the nearest half inch
• Use mental math to add and subtract numbers
• Use estimation skills to round whole numbers to the nearest tens and hundreds
• Add 4-digit problems with regrouping
• Subtract 4-digit problems with regrouping
• Multiply single-digit numbers
• Using place value, put a group of numbers through hundred-thousands in order from least to greatest
• Be able to identify and write a fraction within a whole
• Name angles and lines
• Analyze a bar graph
• Extend a given number pattern

Other Points of Emphasis:

• Comparing and ordering fractions
• Space and plane figures
• Money (add and subtract)
• Basic division concepts

Fourth Grade

Mathematics Benchmarks for Fourth Grade:

• Use correct mathematical operations to solve a word problem
• Identify and convert lengths of objects using inch, foot, yard
• Identify and convert weights of mass using ounces and pounds
• Identify and convert capacity of volume using cup, pint, quart, and gallon
• Use estimation skills to round to the nearest thousand
• Use mental math skills to accurately solve a problem presented
• Show the value of fractions with pictures
• Solve 1-digit times 4-digit multiplication
• Know basic division facts
• Know place value through millions
• Identify geometric shapes
• Use graphs and tables to solve problems
• Extend a given number pattern

Other Points of Emphasis:

• Addition and subtraction through 4 digits
• Multiplying 2 digits times 3 digits
• Comparing and ordering fractions
• Adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators
• Adding and subtracting decimals
• Dividing 3 digits by 1 digit
• Area and perimeter
• Problem solving strategies

Fifth Grade

Mathematics Benchmarks for Fifth Grade:

• Solve problems using the “make a table” strategy
• Solve problems using the “extra data” strategy
• Solve multiple step problems
• Measure length to the nearest ¼ inch
• Change customary units of capacity from pints to gallons
• Round to the nearest million
• Solve problems using the “make an organized list” strategy
• Add fractions with like denominators
• Reduce fractions to lowest terms
• Add decimals with 4 digits
• Subtract decimals with 4 digits
• Multiply decimals with 2- and 3-digit factors
• Draw or construct a(n) acute, obtuse, and right angle
• Analyze a double bar graph
• Analyze a line graph
• Demonstrate an understanding of place value through millions

Other Points of Emphasis:

• Addition and subtraction through 5 digits
• Equivalency of fractions, decimals, and percent
• Factors of numbers
• Geometry concepts (symmetry, congruency, polygons…)
• Divide with 1-digit divisors for whole numbers and decimals
• Place value through millions

Sixth Grade

Mathematics Benchmarks for Sixth Grade:

• Use correct operations to solve multi-step problems
• Use strategies (draw a picture, make a table, etc.) to solve non-routine problems
• Find area of quadrilateral
• Find perimeter of quadrilateral
• Find volume of rectangular prism
• Use estimation to solve decimal problems
• Convert exponents to equivalent whole number standard form
• Divide with decimals in divisors
• Add and subtract with fractions (unlike denominators)
• Identify number of faces on 3-D space figures
• Identify 3-D figures when given multiple views
• Identify 2-D shapes as similar or congruent
• Analyze circle graphs
• Analyze tables
• Identify and complete number patterns (functions—function rules)

Other Points of Emphasis