The Place of Mathematics in the Curriculum
The unprecedented changes that are taking place in today’s world will profoundly affect the future of today’s students. To meet the demands of the world in which they will live, students will need to adapt to changing conditions and to learn independently. They will require the ability to use technology effectively and the skills for processing large amounts of quantitative information.
Today’s mathematics curriculum must prepare students for their future roles in society. It must equip them with essential mathematical knowledge and skills; with skills of reasoning, problem solving, and communication; and, most importantly, with the ability and the incentive to continue learning on their own. The curriculum provides a framework for accomplishing these goals.
The curriculum embeds the learning of mathematics in the solving of problems based on real-life situations. Other disciplines are a ready source of effective contexts for the study of mathematics. Rich problem-solving situations can be drawn from closely related disciplines, such as computer science, business, recreation, tourism, biology, physics, or technology, as well as from subjects historically thought of as distant from mathematics, such as geography or art. It is important that these links between disciplines be carefully explored, analysed, and discussed to emphasize for students the pervasiveness of mathematical knowledge and mathematical thinking in all subject areas.
Roles and Responsibilities in Mathematics Programs
Success in mathematics starts with understanding the roles and responsibilities of students, parents and teachers.
Students
Students have many responsibilities with regard to their learning in school. Students who make the effort required and who apply themselves will soon discover that there is a direct relationship between this effort and their achievement, and will therefore be more motivated to work. There will be some students, however, who will find it more difficult to take responsibility for their learning because of special challenges they face. For these students, the attention, patience, and encouragement of teachers and family can be extremely important factors for success. However, taking responsibility for one’s progress and learning is an important part of education for all students, regardless of their circumstances.
Successful mastery of concepts and skills in mathematics requires a sincere commitment to work and study. Students are expected to develop strategies and processes that facilitate learning and understanding in mathematics. Students should also be encouraged to actively pursue opportunities to apply their problem-solving skills outside the classroom and to extend and enrich their understanding of mathematics.
Parents
Parents have an important role to play in supporting student learning. Studies show that students perform better in school if their parents or guardians are involved in their education. By becoming familiar with the curriculum, parents can find out what is being taught in the courses their children are taking and what their children are expected to learn. This awareness will enhance parents’ ability to discuss their children’s work with them, to communicate with teachers, and to ask relevant questions about their children’s progress. Knowledge of the expectations in the various courses also helps parents to interpret teachers’ comments on student progress and to work with them to improve student learning.
The mathematics curriculum promotes lifelong learning not only for students but also for their parents and all those with an interest in education. In addition to supporting regular school activities, parents can encourage their sons and daughters to apply their problem solving skills to other disciplines or to real-world situations. Attending parent-teacher interviews, participating in parent workshops, becoming involved in school council activities (including becoming a school council member), and encouraging students to complete their assignments at home are just a few examples of effective ways to support student learning.
Teachers
Teachers and students have complementary responsibilities. Teachers are responsible for developing appropriate instructional strategies to help students achieve the curriculum expectations for their courses, as well as for developing appropriate methods for assessing and evaluating student learning. Teachers also support students in developing the reading, writing, and oral communication skills needed for success in their mathematics courses. Teachers bring enthusiasm and varied teaching and assessment approaches to the classroom, addressing different student needs and ensuring sound learning opportunities for every student.
Recognizing that students need a solid conceptual foundation in mathematics in order to further develop and apply their knowledge effectively, teachers endeavour to create a classroom environment that engages students’ interest and helps them arrive at the understanding of mathematics that is critical to further learning.
Using a variety of instructional, assessment, and evaluation strategies, teachers provide numerous opportunities for students to develop skills of inquiry, problem solving, and communication as they investigate and learn fundamental concepts. The activities offered should enable students not only to make connections among these concepts throughout the course but also to relate and apply them to relevant societal, environmental, and economic contexts. Opportunities to relate knowledge and skills to these wider contexts – to the goals and concerns of the world in which they live – will motivate students to learn and to become lifelong learners.
Extra Help
At times, a student may feel like they do not fully understand a lesson or mathematical concept. The Math Department offers extra help opportunities for students to improve their understanding.
Teachers
Assessments for learning are regularly used in math classes so both students and teachers are aware of their progress towards the learning goals. However, often a student is aware of misunderstandings before the teacher. If a student is having difficulty understanding the lesson, asking the teacher for help allows the teacher to modify their lesson to address the issue. Asking the teacher for help in a lesson is the most effective way to improve student understanding.
If a student needs additional time or instruction to meet their learning goals, many teachers are available outside of lessons for assistance. The student can ask for additional instruction through the Math Department Office in room 230.
Peer Tutoring Centre
The Math Department selects senior math students to run the Peer Tutoring Centre. The peer tutors offer one-on-one tutoring and is open to all students without an appointment. For more details, a student can reach out to their Math teacher or the Math Department Office in room 230.
Student Services
The Student Services Department also offers extra help with Mathematics outside of regular classroom hours. For more details, a student can reach out to the Student Services Department Office in room 246.
External Links
TVO Mathify: A free online service that offers one-on-one tutoring with a certified teacher.
Khan Academy: A free online education platform with lessons, videos and quizzes.
Extra Help Opportunities
Are you a student in grade 11 or 12 who would like to help out? The Math department is always looking for students who feel like they would be a good peer tutor. Volunteer hours are offered for peer tutors. Please visit the Math Office in room 230 for additional information.
Contests
Math Contests
Many students wish to challenge themselves by writing math contests and seeing how they compare to other students in the world. Registration for the contests Dr. G. W. Williams participates in is available on School Cash Online.
Registration deadlines for contests are found on school cash online.
- Canadian Open Math Challenge. Open to all students.
- Canadian Senior and Intermediate Mathematics Contests. Open to all students.
- Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat Mathematics Competitions. Open to students in Grade 9, Grade 10, and Grade 11 respectively.
- Euclid Mathematics Contest. Open to students in Grade 12.