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614 - Mathematics Curriculum Beliefs and Goals

614 - Mathematics Curriculum Beliefs and Goals

Adopted: January 1987
Revised: June 2010

Download 614 - Mathematics Curriculum Beliefs and Goals

1. Beliefs

1.1 All students can learn mathematics.

1.2 Mathematics develops logical thinking and problem-solving skills which help students understand and function in the world around them.

1.3 Learning mathematics is an active, collaborative process that balances computation, procedures and problem solving, and provides support and challenge for all learners.

1.4 Mathematics curriculum must be coherent, focused and well articulated through the grades.

1.5 Technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics.

1.6 Assessment supports the learning of mathematics and provides useful information to students, teachers, parents and the public.

1.7 On-going professional development is a key component of a strong mathematics program.

1.8 Quality mathematics education is enhanced through public and home support.

2. Goals

(adapted with permission from Principles and Standards of Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2000)

2.1  Numbers and Operations – The student will be able to understand the following:

2.1.1 Numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers and number systems;

2.1.2 Meanings of operations and how they relate to one another, and

2.1.3 How to compute fluently and make reasonable estimates.

2.2  Algebra – The student will understand the following:

2.2.1 Patterns, relations and functions;

2.2.2  How to represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols;

2.2.3 How to use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative relationships, and

2.2.4 How to analyze change in various contexts.

2.3  Geometry – The student will understand how to do the following:

2.3.1 Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes, and develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships;

2.3.2 Specify locations and describe spatial relationships using coordinate geometry and other representational systems;

2.3.3 Apply transformations and use symmetry to analyze mathematical situations, and

2.3.4 Use visualization, spatial reasoning and geometric modeling to solve problems.

2.4 Measurement – The student will be able to do the following:

2.4.1 Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems and processes of measurement, and

2.4.2 Apply appropriate techniques, tools and formulas to determine measurements.

2.5 Data Analysis and Probability – The student will be able to do the following:

2.5.1 Formulate questions that can be addressed with data, and collect, organize and display relevant data to answer them;

2.5.2 Select and use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data;

2.5.3 Develop and evaluate inferences and predictions that are based on data, and

2.5.4 Understand and apply basic concepts of probability.

2.6 Problem Solving – The student will be able to do the following:

2.6.1 Build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving;

2.6.2 Solve problems that arise in mathematics and in other contexts;

2.6.3 Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems, and

2.6.4 Monitor and reflect on the process of mathematical problem solving.

2.7 Reasoning and Proof – The student will be able to do the following:

2.7.1 Recognize reasoning and proof as fundamental aspects of mathematics;

2.7.2 Make and investigate mathematical conjectures;

2.7.3 Develop and evaluate mathematical arguments and proofs, and

2.7.4 Select and use various types of reasoning and methods of proof.

2.8 Communication – The student will be able to do the following:

2.8.1 Organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking through communication;

2.8.2 Communicate their mathematical thinking coherently and clearly to peers, teachers and others;

2.8.3 Analyze and evaluate the mathematical thinking and strategies of others, and

2.8.4 Use the language of mathematics to express mathematical ideas precisely.

2.9 Connections – The student will be able to do the following:

2.9.1 Recognize and use connections among mathematical ideas;

2.9.2 Understand how mathematical ideas interconnect and build on one another to produce a coherent whole, and

2.9.3 Recognize and apply mathematics in contexts outside of mathematics.

2.10 Representation – The student will be able to do the following:

2.10.1 Create and use representations to organize, record and communicate mathematical ideas;

2.10.2 Select, apply and translate among mathematical representations to solve problems, and

2.10.3 Use representations to model and interpret physical, social and mathematical phenomena.

Beliefs and goals reprinted with permission from the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2000.