1. School Mathematics in a Changing World
Chapter 1
School Mathematics in a Changing World
To accompany Helping Children Learn Math Cdn Ed, Reys et al.
©2010 John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd.

2. Guiding Questions
1. What is mathematics? 2. What is your view of mathematics? 3. What determines the mathematics currently taught? 4. What principles guide the school mathematics program in your province? 5. What resources are available to help you continue developing your knowledge of mathematics and the learning and teaching of mathematics?

3. What is Mathematics? a study of patterns and relationships
a way of thinking
an art
a language
a tool
Master 1-1: What is Mathematics?

4. NCTM (2000) Content Standards
Figure 1-1 shows how the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) envisions the distribution of mathematics content from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12.
Source: Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, p. 30, copyright 2000 by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. All Rights Reserved.

5. What Determines the Mathematics Being Taught?
Needs of the subject
Needs of the child
Needs of society
Master 1-2: Factors That Influence the Mathematics Curriculum

6. NCTM Principles for School Mathematics
Equity Principle
Curriculum Principle
Teaching Principle
Learning Principle
Assessment Principle
Technology Principle
Master 1-3: Principles for School Mathematics
Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2000

7. Equity Principle
Excellence in mathematics education requires equity– high expectations and strong support for all students.

8. Curriculum Principle
A curriculum is more than a collection of activities; it must be coherent, focused on important mathematics, and well articulated across the grades.

9. Teaching Principle
Effective mathematics teaching requires understanding what students know and need to learn and then challenging and supporting them to learn it well.

10. Learning Principle
Students must learn mathematics with understanding, actively building new knowledge from experience and prior knowledge.

11. Assessment Principle
Assessment should support the learning of important mathematics and furnish useful information to both teachers and students.

12. Technology Principle
Technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics; it influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances students’ learning.

13. Major Trends in Mathematics Education by Decades
Master 1-4: Trends in Mathematics Education
Where do we go from here?

15. Where Can You Turn? Resources for Teachers
Provincial and Local Guidelines
Research
Cultural and International Resources (including the NCTM Principles and Standards documents)
History
Master 1-5: Resources for Teachers

16. Where Can You Turn? Resources for Teachers (cont.)
Textbooks and Other Materials
Electronic Materials
Professional Organizations
Professional Development
Other Teachers
Master 1-5: Resources for Teachers

17. What is Your Role Now?
Examine your own disposition toward mathematics and your beliefs about who can learn mathematics.
Remember that teaching means helping students learn, not merely disseminating information.
Realize that doing mathematics and teaching mathematics are different.

18. References
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2000). Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, Reston: Virginia

19. Copyright
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted by Access Copyright (The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency) is unlawful. Requests for further information should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd. The purchaser may make back-up copies for his or her own use only and not for distribution or resale. The author and the publisher assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or damages caused by the use of these programs or from the use of the information contained herein.