New Putnam Math Textbooks Focused On Traditional High School Pathway

Putnam County’s new mathematics textbooks will debut in two weeks, with a traditional high school pathway of Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II.

9-12 Curriculum Supervisor Bubba Winningham said the change is part of the curriculum update done every six years. New math standards will be instituted, but Winningham said the focus in Putnam County will be the traditional high school math approach.

“We’ve kind of been floating without a curriculum for a while now. And so they were really excited with big ideas and just getting basically a book in their hands with the curriculum. So they’re super excited about the process.”

As for parents, Winningham said they need to be aware of both the textbooks and the online support which will be available during the school day and at home. The online practice components will be available elementary through high school with the updated math curriculum.

“Staying engaged, with the teacher, communicating with the teacher, if they have questions about it, if they need help with what it looks like at home and the practice at home,” Winningham said. “Just stay engaged with the administration and the teachers at the school, and I know they’ll be happy to help.”

A committee of Putnam County educators spent a good portion of last school year examining the needs in mathematics and possible textbook options. Looking at the state’s approved curriculum, Winningham said the committee went through the options “with a fine tooth comb.” Winningham said students and parents will not notice a lot of difference in the K-8 approach.

“They wanted a lot of the online component piece to it, they wanted additional practice,” Winningham said.

Teachers have been spending the summer preparing lessons plans and weekly approaches based on the new math textbooks.