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"Understanding how numbers work is foundational to all aspects of mathematics. As students progress through the grades, they learn about different types of numbers and how those numbers behave when operations are applied to them. Recognizing and understanding number properties is foundational to arithmetic and algebra."
"Understanding how numbers work is foundational to all aspects of mathematics. As students progress through the grades, they learn about different types of numbers and how those numbers behave when operations are applied to them. Recognizing and understanding number properties is foundational to arithmetic and algebra."
-Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math: A Teacher's Guide, p.2
What are the fundamental math concepts and skills?
What are the fundamental math concepts and skills?
Fundamental math skills, and the concepts that underpin them, may be categorized according to the following framework:
- Working with numbers: Understanding and using numbers (e.g., being able to read, represent, count, order, estimate, compare, compose, decompose, and recompose numbers).
- Recognizing and applying understanding of number properties: Understanding how numbers behave in operations and drawing on that understanding to master math facts and perform calculations.
- Mastering math facts: Understanding and recalling math facts, using a variety of strategies.
- Developing mental math skills: Doing calculations in the mind, with little or no use of paper and pencil or calculator.
- Developing proficiency with operations: Performing calculations with ease, precision, and consistency and with a general understanding of number and operations, number properties, and their appropriate application in problem solving.
Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
- How do you currently help students to develop these fundamental math concepts and skills?
- Looking at this continuum, what skills should your students have acquired in previous grades? What skills will your students acquire in their next grade? How does this information help you to "fill in gaps" and plan for extensions?
Please select one of the two videos below. Perhaps you could split your Primary group in two and share your insights from both of these Math Researchers:
Resources to help students master the fundamentals:
Resources to help students master the fundamentals:
If you are looking for online practice, you may wish to try some of these sites or apps :
*Please note that while apps can be added to board iPads, it is important to read the terms and conditions as per the SMCDSB Responsible use of Information, Communication and Collaboration Technology policyUse the Rekenrek to build understanding of whole numbers, number relationships, and strategic reasoning for counting, addition, subtraction and multiplication. Relate numbers to the anchors of 5 and 10. Use the annotation feature and imported images to communicate solutions.
If you are looking for ways to connect fundamental math concepts to the mathies tools, please take a look at this resource:
Fundamentals of Math and Mathies.pdfMental Math Strategies
Mental Math Strategies
This document can be found on the right, as well as on Employee Connect>Curriculum Resources>Math>Elementary Resources>Board Support Tools. Page one provides examples of grade specific mental math strategies (e.g. number talks). Page two of the support tool highlights the mental math curriculum continuum from Kindergarten to grade 8. Page three provides examples of grade specific mental math strategies (e.g. number talks). Please take some time to explore this resource.
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