Bahrain

The Mathematics Curriculum in Primary and Lower Secondary Grades

Mathematics is a compulsory subject throughout basic education in Bahrain. The mathematics curriculum for each cycle of basic education is built upon two types of general competency: content and skill. Cycle 1 (Grades 1 to 3) contains 13 general mathematics competencies covering five content areas: Numbers and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Data and Probability Analysis. Cycle 1 also contains the following skill competencies: Problem Solving, Reasoning and Proving, Communication, and Linking and Representing Knowledge.

In the progression of learning, Cycle 2 (Grades 4 to 6) and Cycle 3 (Grades 7 to 9) cover the same five content areas as Cycle 1. Cycles 2 and 3 also share the same number of general and skill competencies. Content areas are taught to increasing depth and cover increasingly difficult topics as students progress through the grades and cycles. Specific competencies, comprising mathematical knowledge and understanding, are clearly defined within each content area and correlate with topics. Students are expected to develop and utilize their mathematical skills and to apply their knowledge and understanding in solving real life problems. Exhibits 3 and 4 present mathematics content areas and competencies⁷ for Grade 4 in Cycle 2 and Grade 8 in Cycle 3.

Exhibit 3: Mathematics Content Areas and Competencies for Grade 4 in Bahrain

Content Area	Competencies
Numbers and Operations— Whole numbers (up to 7 digits)	Read, write, and express numbers up to 100,000; understand place value, ways of representing numbers and the relationship between numbers; explore the concept of 1 million; read, write, order, and compare numbers in millions
Fractions and Decimals	Recognize fractions as parts of a whole unit or parts of a collection; read, write, identify, and determine equivalent fractions; compare and represent fractions on the number line; understand decimal place value; define decimals using words and numbers, and represent decimals on the number line; compare, read, and write decimals; determine, read, write, and order decimal numbers greater than 1
Arithmetic Operations	Understand the four basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and how they relate to one another, and compare them in terms of properties used in calculations and their meaning; use numbers and arithmetic operations to compare and order whole numbers, simple fractions, and decimals, and to solve problems including those set in a real life context; compute with numbers; estimate numbers and estimate using the four arithmetic operations
Algebra	Identify number patterns and the relationship between patterns (numbers or terms); extend and generate patterns; write simple algebraic expressions to solve for one unknown and represent real life situations using models, symbols, pictures, and words
Geometry	Identify and draw points, lines, rays, line segments, angles, triangles, and quadrilaterals; distinguish between parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting lines; explore the properties of two-  and three-dimensional geometric shapes and determine the line of symmetry in two-dimensional shapes; recognize congruence with and distinguish between geometric transformations (i.e., translation, reflection, and rotation)
Data Analysis and Probability	Collect, organize, represent, and display data in graphs, charts, and tables, reading and interpreting the data; calculate mode and mean from a set of data; explore and differentiate among certain, possible, and impossible events; conduct probability experiments, observe, and record experiment results

Exhibit 4: Mathematics Content Areas and Competencies for Grade 8 in Bahrain

Content Area	Competencies
Numbers and Operations (Integers, Rational, and Real Numbers)	Develop understanding of integers, recognize rational numbers, distinguish between fractions and decimals, and represent these on the number line; understand ratio, proportion, and percent, and carry out operations with these when solving problems; classify, compare, and order rational numbers; use factors and multiples in solving problems; identify irrational numbers and recognize the real number system; develop understanding of integers, rational numbers, and real numbers and compare, order, compute, represent, and understand operations on them Calculate powers of numbers and square roots; compute and estimate using equivalent fractions and percentages and use these computations and estimations in solving problems; calculate length, including side lengths of similar triangles and in solving real life problems
Algebra	Extend and generalize numeric, algebraic, and geometric patterns or sequences, including finding the missing terms; use relations and functions; simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions Explore properties of linear functions in tables, words, equations, inequalities, and graphs Understand linear relationships and the concept of variables in solving linear equations and finding the range of functions Model real life situations using multiple representations
Geometry	Recognize the geometric properties of angles and geometric shapes (e.g., triangles, quadrilaterals, and other common polygons) Differentiate between two- and three-dimensional shapes and use their properties in solving problems Use geometric transformations to explore the properties of symmetry, similarity, and congruence in solving problems Use geometric models to represent numerical and algebraic relationships
Measurement	Recognize metric and customary units and demonstrate understanding of relationships among units Identify appropriate units for measuring angles and lines, and area, circumference, and volume Compute and estimate area, circumference, and volume
Data Analysis and Probability	Read and represent data displayed in different forms (e.g., line plots, tables, and bar graphs) Describe and compare different representations of the same data Calculate the mode, median, and range from a set of data Determine and estimate the probability of an outcome and use the probability of a particular outcome to solve problems