Mastering Mathematics at Paul Penna DJDS
Whether through the thrill of unraveling complex patterns, the satisfaction of mastering math facts, or the curiosity sparked by working with a math specialist, learning math at our school is an active, joyful pursuit. The math program at Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School’s Lower School balances a deep exploration of concepts with the ongoing development of fundamental numeracy skills. Achieving this balance is a dynamic, evolving commitment, one that ensures our students build both conceptual understanding and procedural confidence.
One way this comes to life is through "Rich Tasks" - learning activities rooted in real-world relevance that require students to integrate and apply knowledge across disciplines. For example, our Grade 4 students are currently exploring the Ontario Curriculum’s sub-strand of Patterning by investigating a famous mathematical conjecture known as the Collatz problem. This recursive sequence helps students understand diverse real-world phenomena, from the paths of hailstones to how a web browser caches a website!
At Paul Penna DJDS, we pride ourselves on research-informed teaching. Recent educational research highlights the importance of combining conceptual depth with intentional, targeted practice to build fluency. To translate this research into action, we have launched the "DJDS Fact Attack" program for Grades 3, 4, and 5. Through customized, individual-level exercises, students regularly work on recall speed and accuracy, putting them on a clear path toward mathematical confidence.
We are also delighted to welcome Yotam Weiner to our lower school team as our
Elementary Math Specialist. Yotam collaborates directly with teachers to refine upcoming lessons, integrate parallel tasks, and provide both scaffolded support and enrichment. Beyond co-planning, Yotam works directly with student groups across various age and ability levels on Fermi problems, mathematical modeling, coding, and strategic problem-solving.
We look forward to watching our students continue to grow as confident, creative mathematical thinkers throughout the school year.
Jaime Saltz, Vice Principal
Yotam Weiner, Lower School Elementary Math Specialist