180 Days of Learning : OCEAN VIEW

After getting intensive instruction at a summer “math academy,” the district’s teachers will be weaving geometry and probability into other lessons for their students this fall.

During the summer session, held at Golden View Elementary, UC Irvine specialists taught new ways of integrating math into other subjects, said John Tennant, Ocean View’s assistant superintendent for human resources.

The math academy complements a program integrating all class subjects. Started last year, it works like this, Tennant said: Students might read a piece of literature that mentions farm animals; the teacher would sneak in a bit of rudimentary algebra by asking how many horses there are if a group of 15 horses and cows includes seven cows.

“They’re trying to show how you can teach more with interactive learning,” he said, instead of having separate classes for English, math and science.

And 427 students attended the summer math academy, he said, so they will have a head start on their studies and be able to work as peer coaches.

The district also is continuing to renovate its buildings, many of which are 25 to 30 years old. That means new air conditioners, new carpet and fresh paint. While other districts say they can’t afford such work, Tennant said Ocean View “planned and counted its pennies and decided that’s a priority.”

“We kind of think kids need to come into a building that’s safe and clean and a place they want to be,” he said.