62. Mathematical Toolbox

Each seventh grade student creates a mathematical “toolbox” as a resource to help them solve challenging problems. A thorough and well organized toolbox helps students develop note-taking skills and assists with “Open Toolbox” quizzes.

Students in the seventh grade create a mathematical “toolbox.” This notebook is a resource for them throughout the year, essentially providing the “tools” they will need to solve challenging problems. In it, they take notes and record important terminology, rules, and procedures. Some students express their organizational skills and artistic flair with their toolboxes by color coding different sections and organizing their work on the page in creative ways. “Open Toolbox” quizzes are given periodically throughout the school year where students are free to use their notes as a resource; knowing they will be allowed to use their toolboxes gives students even more incentive to be detailed in their notes. Keeping a thorough and organized toolbox also helps prepare students for the note taking they will do throughout their years at Dalton. Additionally, students are required to bring their toolbox to class every day which fosters their developing independence and sense of responsibility. Some students even use their toolboxes well into their high school years.

Robert Mason, former seventh grade House Advisor and math teacher, nicknamed “Doc” for his PhD in Mathematics, introduced the idea of the toolbox to the grade. Dr. Mason taught at Dalton for 25 years, and the toolbox, in addition to his unit on Matrices for the conceptual classes, is one of the legacies he left when he retired in 2014. Doc himself was a legend at Dalton, known for the high expectations he had for students and the understanding of high-level concepts the students took with them upon finishing his class.
—Inanna Donnelly and Alex Bertrand, Seventh Grade House Advisors and Mathematics Teachers