The Mathematics Curriculum in Primary and Lower Secondary Grades
Due to the large proportion of students in Dubai attending private primary schools, as opposed to public schools, summaries of the most widely used private school mathematics curricula in Dubai are provided below:
- Curriculum for United Kingdom (UK) schools―During Key Stage 2, which includes Grade 4, students learn to do the following: use number systems more confidently; move from counting reliably to calculating fluently with all four arithmetic number operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division); try to tackle problems with mental methods before using other approaches; explore features of shapes and spaces and develop measuring skills in a range of contexts; discuss and present their methods and reasoning using mathematical language, diagrams, and charts; and use and apply mathematics throughout the program of study. A number of key concepts underpins the study of mathematics in UK schools from Grade 7 (Key Stage 3), and are designed to deepen and broaden students’ knowledge, skills, and understanding: competence, creativity, applications and implications of mathematics, and critical understanding. Students also are required to master four key processes: representing, analyzing, interpreting and evaluating, and communicating and reflecting.8
- Curriculum for International Baccalaureate schools―Students taking the TIMSS 2015 assessment are in the Primary Years Program (Grade 4) and Middle Years Program (Grade 8).9,10 In the Primary Years Program, mathematics is taught partly through an interdisciplinary program with science, and partly as a discrete subject. At Grade 8, students study mathematics and usually a combined science course. Inquiry, problem solving, and the application of mathematics are strongly emphasized, as is the acquisition of mathematical knowledge.
- Curriculum for United States (US) schools―Most US schools in Dubai adopt the Common Core State Standards in mathematics relevant to a specific state, and adapt these to meet the needs of their students within the Dubai context. These standards define content expectations relating to concepts and skills. Other schools provide descriptions of the most significant mathematical concepts and skills at each grade level, and identify important connections to other topics. A few US curriculum schools in Dubai incorporate processes such as communication, reasoning, representation, connections, and particularly, problem solving into the mathematics curriculum. Students in these schools benefit from a more connected, coherent body of mathematical knowledge and way of thinking.
- Curriculum for Indian schools (Central Board of Secondary Education and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education)―In primary schools offering the Indian curriculum, mathematical facts often are taught through rote learning. This method is expected to build a strong base for the formation of higher concepts effectively. Developing rapid mental calculation skills is emphasized from an early age. From eighth grade, students follow a course structure that includes number, algebra, geometry, and statistics. Although eighth grade courses include examples to give students an opportunity to practice mathematical knowledge and skills in context, the curriculum is being developed to promote more problem solving in real life contexts.11,12