Empowering Students with Confidence and Skills in Mathematics

We believe that mathematics is a fundamental life skill and a key to unlocking future opportunities. Rooted in our Catholic values, we are dedicated to helping every student build confidence and competence in mathematics from the earliest years through to graduation. This page provides a clear overview of the Ontario math curriculum and offers practical ways you can support a student’s learning journey at home, helping them to see the value of math in their everyday lives.

The Elementary Math Curriculum

The new elementary math curriculum, implemented in September 2020, is designed to help students perform better in math, solve everyday problems, and increase their future employability. It is structured to show the clear connections between math skills as they build from year to year. The curriculum is organized into six main areas of learning:

• Number: Focuses on foundational concepts like number facts and is intended to improve students’ ability to work with numbers.
• Algebra: Introduces coding to help reinforce problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Data: Develops students’ skills in collecting, analyzing, and using data.
• Spatial Sense: Encourages students to understand and apply concepts of geometry and measurement.
• Financial Literacy: Integrates practical skills for managing personal finances.
• Social-Emotional Learning Skills in Mathematics: Helps students build confidence, recognize their emotions related to math, and develop a healthy relationship with the subject.

How to Support Your Child’s Math at Home

The Ministry of Education has created a guide for parents that outlines what students will be learning each year. You can help your child develop a positive attitude towards math by connecting it to everyday activities and practicing math skills in the moment. Try some of these ideas:

• Connect Math to Real Life: Use daily activities to talk about math. For example, have your child help you measure ingredients when cooking, estimate the cost of groceries, or talk about time and scheduling.
• Encourage a Growth Mindset: Help your child understand that math is not about being “good” or “bad” at it, but about effort and practice. Celebrate their progress and remind them that mistakes are a part of learning.
• Play Games: Many board games and card games involve strategy, counting, and problem-solving. This is a fun and engaging way to practice math skills.
• Be a Math Role Model: Share how you use math in your own life, such as when you balance a budget or plan a trip. This helps them see math as a practical, valuable skill.
• Stay Informed: Maintain open communication with your child’s teacher to stay up-to-date on what they are learning and how you can offer support.

Supporting Your High School Student’s Math Learning

The new Grade 9 math curriculum is a de-streamed course, meaning all students take the same course to build a strong foundation for future studies. The Ministry of Education has created a guide for parents that helps explain the de-streamed course and what students will be learning. Even though students in high school often learn more independently, parents can still support math development by:

• Connecting Math to Careers: Talk with your teen about career opportunities that rely on math skills and help them make connections between what they learn in class and their interests.
• Incorporate Math into Everyday Life: Look for opportunities to use math at home. For example, have them help with budgeting, calculating discounts, or predicting travel time.
• Encourage Problem-Solving: Show an interest in what your teen is learning. Ask them how they solved a problem or how a concept they learned in class applies to the real world.
• Contact the School: The school staff, including teachers and guidance counselors, are great resources. They can provide more information on how to support your child and what resources are available.

By working together, we can ensure that every student develops the math skills they need to thrive, both academically and in their daily lives.

TVO Learn Mathify

Mathify provides FREE online math help for Ontario students in Grades 4-12. Students can access math tutoring from any digital device, whenever they need the help. We encourage all students to access Mathify to get homework help, clarify their understanding of math concepts, and to prepare for math tests.

IXL

We’re using IXL to support our math curriculum again this year, and your child has access to this online program at home. With thousands of skills that match what we’re learning, as well as insights into student progress, IXL is a great resource to help your child excel. Encourage your child to visit their Recommendations wall for helpful review or new challenges—it’s full of skills picked just for them! And be sure to stay in the loop – sign in to your child’s account and click on Analytics to see what they’ve been working on and take a peek at their progress.