The Mathematics Curriculum in Primary and Lower Secondary Grades
The Basic Education Core Curriculum B.E. 2551 (A.D. 2008)6 prescribes a framework for basic learning time, the structure of which can be adjusted to suit the needs of individual schools and learners. It also describes in detail the mathematics curriculum developed by the IPST.
The mathematics curriculum covers six learning areas including Numbers and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Algebra, Data Analysis and Probability, and Mathematical Skills and Processes. The six learning areas are important for developing the human mind and aim to enable all learners to think logically and systematically, to solve problems, and to apply knowledge in daily life.
The learning standards for each area are divided into the following strands:
- Numbers and Operations
- Understanding diverse methods of presenting numbers and their applications in real life
- Understanding the results of number operations, the relationship of operations, and the application of operations in problem solving
- Using estimation in calculation and problem solving
- Understanding numerical systems and the application of numerical properties
- Measurement
- Understanding the basics of measurement; measuring and estimating the size of objects to be measured
- Solving measurement problems
- Geometry
- Explaining and analyzing two- and three-dimensional geometric figures
- Using visualization, spatial reasoning, and the application of geometric models in problem solving
- Algebra
- Understanding and analyzing patterns, relations, and functions
- Applying algebraic expressions, equations, inequality, graphs, and other mathematical models to represent various situations, as well as interpreting and applying them in problem solving
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Applying statistical methodology in data analysis
- Applying statistical methodology and probability in valid estimation
- Applying statistics and probability in decision making and problem solving
- Mathematical Skills and Processes
- Problem solving and reasoning; communicating and presenting mathematical concepts; connecting various bodies of mathematical knowledge and connecting mathematics with other disciplines; and creative thinking
The core content of the fourth grade mathematics curriculum (primary school) for the majority of students includes:
- Numbers and operations—Numerical knowledge; sense of cardinal numbers and zero; operations of numbers; fractions and operations of fractions with the same denominator; one place decimals; problem solving involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of cardinal numbers and zero, fractions, and one place decimals; and percentages
- Measurement—Length, distance, weight, area, volume, capacity, time, money, direction, maps, the area of rectangles, and problem solving involving measurement
- Geometry—Characteristics and properties of triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, ellipses, cuboids, spheres, cylinders, angles, and parallel lines
- Algebra—Patterns and relationships, problem solving involving patterns, writing equations, and solving linear equations
- Data analysis and probability—Collecting data; discussing data collected from pictograms, bar charts, comparative bar charts, line graphs, and tables; presenting data in pictograms, bar charts, comparative bar charts, and line graphs; and applying basic concepts of probability to estimate the possibility of events
- Mathematical skills and processes—Problem solving using diverse methods, reasoning for
The core content of the eighth grade mathematics curriculum (lower secondary school) for the majority of students includes:
- Numbers and operations—Ratios, proportions, percentages, and exponentiation with integer exponents; square roots and cube roots of real numbers; operations of integral numbers, fractions, decimals, exponents, square roots, and cube roots of real numbers; and number applications in real life
- Measurement—Estimating time, distance, area, volume, and weight; using appropriate measurement methods and units for determining length, area, and volume; problem solving involving length and area; and applications of measurement in real life
- Geometry—Characteristics and properties of triangles, squares, circles, cuboids, cylinders, cones, prisms, pyramids, angles, and parallel lines; properties of congruent triangles and similar triangles; parallel lines; the Pythagorean theorem and its reverse; geometric transformations; and characteristics of two- and three-dimensional geometric figures
- Algebra—Patterns and relationships in patterns; analyzing mathematical situations and problems using one-variable equations, one-variable linear equalities, and graphs; and the rectangular coordinate system
- Data analysis and probability—Data collection and presentation using pie charts or other appropriate data representations; discussing the probability of events using terms similar in meaning to “definitely will,” “definitely will not,” and “more likely to” happen
- Mathematical skills and processes—Problem solving using diverse methods, reasoning for decision making and presenting conclusions, using mathematical language and symbols for communication and presentation, integrating mathematical knowledge with other disciplines, creative thinking, and rationalizing