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Math has also become more of a part of what is taught in professional development sessions for teachers. The math coach told us that many faculty members didn't themselves understand some of what they were supposed to teach and had become "mathphobic." The coach said she makes sure they understand it now.

Letting kids operate a bookstore is another way the school is teaching math concepts. Third graders take shifts running the outlet, located in a room across from the office, and they take inventory and add up receipts at the end of the day. The store seems to be teaching not only arithmetic, but other valuable skills, too. "There's one student, and when he wears a suit, I know he's working at the bookstore," the principal told us.