The Hausner Mathematics Program we have outlined below represents an approach to teaching mathematics that allows for the individual differences of all students.

Grades K - 5
Mathematics instruction at Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School is designed to provide an exciting, hands-on, exploratory, problem solving approach to learning mathematics. Our program has three important components that enable us to provide for the individual differences of our students.

• The University of Chicago's Everyday Math Program serves as the core program in kindergarten through fifth grade. Its instructional design incorporates multiple methods and strategies for problem solving, concrete modeling as a pathway to abstract understanding, and diverse approaches depending on the learning style of the individual child. Not only is each content strand addressed throughout all levels of the program, but also the curriculum spirals, continuously reviewing and extending skills. Teachers are provided with clear guidelines for monitoring and assessing students’ progress, and with suggestions for enrichment and re-teaching as needed. Teachers often use flexible grouping to better address the needs of the individual child. This program is rich with mathematical skills, concepts and vocabulary, and provides enough enrichment experiences that go beyond the grade level.

The problem solving component of the program is augmented by incorporating challenging problems from several sources.

• The main source of these problems is from an enhancement to the Singapore Mathematics Program called "Primary Mathematics: Challenging Word Problems." These challenges are available to students in grade 1-5.

For students, whom the teachers’ feel are ready to work at a more abstract level, we have developed additional problem solving experiences that require a greater intuitive sense of mathematical ideas.

• The main sources of these abstract problem solving experiences are various national and international mathematics competitions that are available for upper elementary and middle school students. We also have scaled down versions of some of these contest problems for students in grades 1 - 3. The methodology used in these problem solving sessions can best be described as "mathematical conversations" as contrasted with applications of specific problem solving strategies.

Grades 6 - 8
The middle school math program is designed to challenge each of our students to do his/her best work and to create interest and enthusiasm in mathematical studies. Each grade has three math levels to better meet the needs of our diverse student population. The program is innovative and ambitious, as it gives all students an opportunity to learn Algebra I before entering high school. Our advanced students will be well prepared to enter the "honors" track in high school (e.g., Geometry/Algebra II in grade 9), while the other students will be able to take either Geometry in grade 9 or reinforce their learning with more Algebra I.

With three math levels and small classes, our program gives all students the chance to succeed. Each class has very structured programs. All students are expected to keep an organized math notebook and be responsible for completion of homework on a daily basis. In addition, teachers will make use of manipulative and self-discovery investigations to help students fully understand "why" the mathematical concepts are true.

In addition, we have several other opportunities for our students who excel and/or are interested in mathematics.

1. National math competitions: Olympiads, Math counts, and the AMC 8. For the past 9 years our elementary and for the past six years our middle school students have received the highest achievement award for their scores on the Elementary (grade 4-6) and Middle School (grades 7-8) Mathematical Olympiads.
   
   
2. We integrate math and science through the use of the Vernier probes and advanced applications of Excel.
   
   
3. We register a few students each year for Stanford's EPGY program. This is a self-paced program that accelerates students through the mathematics curriculum.