General Strands (Grades 3-8)

The curriculum is organized into five major strands that are consistent across these grades, with the content becoming progressively more complex and detailed as students move up the grades. These strands are:

1. Number Sense and Numeration: Understanding numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems.

2. Measurement: Understanding concepts of measurement using standard units and non-standard units, including the concepts of length, area, volume, capacity, mass, time, and temperature.

3. Geometry and Spatial Sense: Understanding shapes, geometric relationships, spatial reasoning, and properties of two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures.

4. Patterning and Algebra: Understanding patterns and relations, using patterns to represent mathematical ideas and relationships, and understanding algebraic expressions and equations.

5. Data Management and Probability: Collecting and organizing data, summarizing and presenting data in various forms, understanding chance and uncertainty, making predictions based on data.

Grade-Specfic Highlights

• Grades 3-4: Focus on basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), simple fractions, and introduction to decimals. Emphasis on understanding geometric shapes, basic measurement concepts, and simple data representation (graphs).

• Grades 5-6: Introduction to more complex fractions and decimals, exploring ratios and percent. Increased focus on measurement concepts including perimeter, area, and volume, as well as extending geometric reasoning. Introduction to variables and simple equations in algebra.

• Grades 7-8: Deeper exploration of ratios, rates, and proportional relationships. More complex operations with fractions, decimals, and integers. Introduction to more advanced algebraic concepts, including solving equations and understanding linear relations. Expanded study of geometry including properties of angles, circles, and transformations. Enhanced data management skills, including the use of probability to make predictions.

Approach and Goals

• Problem Solving: Students are encouraged to use problem-solving strategies across all strands to understand mathematical concepts and relationships.

• Communication: Emphasis is placed on the ability to communicate mathematical thinking verbally, visually, and in writing.

• Connections: Making connections within and outside of mathematics to help students see math as an integrated whole and its application in real life.

• Technology: Incorporation of technology to enhance learning and understanding of mathematical concepts