Mathematics

Understanding The focus should be on developing student understanding of concepts and skills, not on "apparent mastery"

Problem Solving It should give students many opportunities to be actively involved in applying their mathematical knowledge, skills and experience to problem-solving situations that are new or perplexing to them ^[1]

VISUAL LEARNERS

[|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9MwNm0gXd8G]

During the video, questions worksheet is given, so the students answer it as they watch the video. Questions

Read/Write Learners -Literacy demands in Mathematics [2]

Student success in Mathematics is related to the development of literacy skills. Students need to read, write and interpret basic mathematical symbols and prose with confidence. Words in mathematics that have different meanings in everyday language often confuse students. Students are expected to read to locate specific information and understand concepts and procedures, as well as to interpret problems. Mathematics texts often use few words, all essential to the meaning. Consequently, as part of the literacy demands of mathematics, word order is very important as in the following example:

• Sixty is half of what number?
• Half of sixty is what number?

Apparently insignificant words such as to, of or by become vitally important for making sense in mathematics e.g.:

• The temperature increased to 5 degrees
• The temperature increased by 5 degrees
• The temperature increased from 5 degrees

A further example….. the use of ‘more’

• Which number is three more than five?
• Five is how many more than three?
• Five is three more than which number?

Many forms of writing can be undertaken in mathematics, such as writing explanations, presenting proofs, and writing to consolidate understanding. Literacy demands include:

Speaking

• Use appropriate terminology
• Offer explanations
• Express knowledge and understandings
• Articulate ideas
• Argue constructively
• Interact and communicate with others

Listening

• Listen to the ideas and opinions of others
• Listen for information
• Understand discussions, instructions and presentations

Reading

• Recognise specialist vocabulary and its meaning
• Read from a variety of sources (text, problem sheet, articles)
• Link information from different sources
• Extract and organise information
• Follow written instructions
• Analyse information
• Skim a text
• Scan a text to locate specific information
• Read to summarise information

Writing

• Express mathematical understanding in written form
• Use specialist vocabulary appropriately
• Describe and explain various procedures or processes
• Record information clearly
• Organise written information from a variety of sources
• Construct a report

Understanding Mathematical Names [3]

Minus Multiply Square Remainder Fraction Rectangle Parallel Area Decimal Fraction Square Number" Radius Perimeter Volume Prime Number Average Intersection Square root Parallelogram Perpendicular Rhombus Factor Ratio Gradient Symmetry Product Multiple Similar Congruent Index Mapping Integer Trapezium Sum Reflection Rotation Union

Other problem words and phrases are [4]: Find Express Name Solve Simplify Give Explain Factorize Calculate State Expand Evaluate Correct to List Write Round Roster Graph Approximate Construct Draw Complete Verify Prove Hence Pronumeral Distance Is measured as" Variable Expression Under a transformation Measurement Term Actual volume Length the subject Limits of accuracy" Perimeter Tangent Column vector Domain Range Inverse Relation Differentiate Integrate Normal