Joanne Fennessy, Ed. D.

Director of Mathematics

HS (631) 912-2158

MS (631) 858-3646

Commack Mathematics is centered on the belief that all students can learn and succeed in mathematics when they are provided with authentic learning experiences that foster conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and a positive mathematical mindset.Through engaging and meaningful learning experiences, students are encouraged to explore mathematical ideas, make connections between mathematical concepts and real-world contexts, and develop problem-solving strategies. An emphasis is placed on developing students' ability to communicate mathematical reasoning, apply mathematical concepts in different situations, and persevere in solving complex problems.

The elementary mathematics standards encompass a variety of topics across several domains including Counting and Cardinality, Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Number and Operations in Base Ten, Number and Operations with Fractions, Measurement and Data, and Geometry. These standards are designed to support students in building a solid foundation in mathematical concepts and skills that will serve as a basis for their future mathematical learning. The Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards can be found here.

Counting and Cardinality: Students learn to count, read, and write numbers.  They begin to understand the relationship between numbers and quantity by connecting counting to cardinality.

Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Students begin with developing an understanding of addition and subtraction and representing and solving problems with these operations.  In the intermediate grades, students build on this understanding to learn multiplication and division.

Numbers and Operations in Base Ten:  Students work with numbers in the base-ten number system, which fosters an understanding of place value and connects this to properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.

Numbers and Operations with Fractions:  Students develop an understanding of fractions as numbers, representing fractions on a number line and comparing them.

Measurement and Data:  Students work with concepts of measuring , telling and writing time and representing and interpreting data.

Geometry:  Students explore geometric shapes, their attributes, and relationships.  They begin to understand the difference between two- and three-dimensional shapes.

The middle level mathematics standards build upon the foundational concepts learned in elementary school while also delving into more advanced topics.    The domains studied include Ratios and Proportional Relationships, The Number System, Expressions and Equations, Geometry, Statistics and Probability, and Functions. 

The Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards can be found here. 

The Sixth Grade Curriculum Guide can be found here. 

The Seventh and Eighth Grade Curriculum Guide can be found here.

Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Students work with ratios and rates to understand proportional relationships and solve problems involving percentages.

The Number System:  Students extend their understanding of the number system to include positive and negative fractions, decimals and integers.  Operations with rational numbers are explored and used to solve real-world problems.

Expressions and Equations:  Students learn to write and interpret expressions, solve equations and inequalities and make connections between equations, tables, and graphs.

Geometry:   Students explore geometric concepts including perimeter, circumference, area, and volume of shapes.  They also work with angle relationships, transformations, and congruence and similarity of figures.

Statistics and Probability:  Students interpret and summarize data sets, make inferences and justify their conclusions. Basic probability principles, experimental and theoretical probability are learned and connected to real-life.

Functions: Students begin to explore functions as the relationship between quantities and analyze them using different representations, which include tables, graphs, and equations

The high-school level mathematics standards build upon the concepts learned in middle school while also delving into higher-level topics.   The goal is to expose students to a cohesive and comprehensive framework for mathematics to ensure students are college and career ready. The Regents courses offered are Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. The domains studied include Number and Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. Students must successfully pass one mathematics Regents to graduate with a Regents Diploma and all three Regents in order to graduate with an Advanced Regents Diploma.  The Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards can be found here.