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SOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR PROGRAM PLANNING IN MATHEMATICS 27
in contexts such as sampling and surveying and the use of statistics to analyse trends. Recog- nizing the importance of mathematics in such areas helps motivate students to learn and also provides a foundation for informed, responsible citizenship.
Teachers should have high expectations for all students. To achieve their mathematical poten- tial, however, different students may need different kinds of support. Some boys, for example, may need additional support in developing their literacy skills in order to complete mathemat- ical tasks effectively. For some girls, additional encouragement to envision themselves in careers involving mathematics may be beneficial. For example, teachers might consider pro- viding strong role models in the form of female guest speakers who are mathematicians or who use mathematics in their careers.
Literacy and Inquiry/Research Skills
Literacy skills can play an important role in student success in mathematics courses. Many of the activities and tasks students undertake in math courses involve the use of written, oral, and visual communication skills. For example, students use language to record their observations, to explain their reasoning when solving problems, to describe their inquiries in both informal and formal contexts, and to justify their results in small-group conversations, oral presentations, and written reports.The language of mathematics includes special terminology.The study of mathematics consequently encourages students to use language with greater care and precision and enhances their ability to communicate effectively. The Ministry of Education has facili- tated the development of materials to support literacy instruction across the curriculum. Helpful advice for integrating literacy instruction in mathematics courses may be found in the following resource documents:
• ThinkLiteracy:Cross-CurricularApproaches,Grades7–12,2003
• ThinkLiteracy:Cross-CurricularApproaches,Grades7–12–Mathematics:Subject-Specific
Examples, Grades 7–9, 2004
In all courses in mathematics, students will develop their ability to ask questions and to plan investigations to answer those questions and to solve related problems. Students need to learn a variety of research methods and inquiry approaches in order to carry out these investigations and to solve problems, and they need to be able to select the methods that are most appropri- ate for a particular inquiry. Students learn how to locate relevant information from a variety of sources, such as statistical databases, newspapers, and reports. As they advance through the grades, students will be expected to use such sources with increasing sophistication. They will also be expected to distinguish between primary and secondary sources, to determine their validity and relevance, and to use them in appropriate ways.
The Role of Technology in Mathematics
Information and communication technology (ICT) provides a range of tools that can signifi- cantly extend and enrich teachers’ instructional strategies and support students’ learning in mathematics. Teachers can use ICT tools and resources both for whole-class instruction and to design programs that meet diverse student needs.Technology can help to reduce the time spent on routine mathematical tasks and to allow students to devote more of their efforts to thinking and concept development. Useful ICT tools include simulations, multimedia resources, data- bases, sites that gave access to large amounts of statistical data, and computer-assisted learning modules.