Our 20th grant has been approved! The first grade team has requested to purchase 5 Osmo interactive gaming systems for iPads. These systems would be used in conjunction with the new math curriculum that HOTL has purchased for next school year. Houghton Mifflin has partnered with Osmo to create on-screen and off-screen content that would be used by all the first grade students in learning centers. Houghton Mifflin has also created lessons specifically to incorporate Osmo kits into current math standards. The bonus the Osmo kits will add to the first grade curriculum is that students will use physical manipulatives in the lessons and also provide immediate feedback as the students advance through the challenging levels.
The power of Osmo lies in its ability to help kids develop strong problem solving skills. The first grade team is excited to introduce their new math curriculum and have the power to illustrate new concepts through a textbook, on the Smartboard and also through the manipulatives that Osmo provides. The teachers that have piloted the program have spoken about the increase in understanding that has occurred with the new curriculum.
Osmo helps kids think through problems in a way that’s less frustrating and risk free. Osmo also gives students the ability to experience the first steps of coding and work through computer science at an early level. It will be one more tool that the first grade team can use to introduce and work through new math concepts with all first grade students.
