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Mathematics Kindergarten to Grade 9 (2007, Updated 2016)

© Alberta Education, Canada 
 Table of Contents   Program of Studies

There are 3 Teacher Resources related to the entire Program of Studies

This program of studies may contain references to the previous Kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum. For the new Kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum, please visit new.LearnAlberta.ca.

Introduction
Mathematics Kindergarten to Grade 9 (2007, Updated 2016)

The Mathematics Kindergarten to Grade 9 Program of Studies has been derived from The Common Curriculum Framework for K - 9 Mathematics: Western and Northern Canadian Protocol, May 2006 (the Common Curriculum Framework). The program of studies incorporates the conceptual framework for Kindergarten to Grade 9 Mathematics and the general outcomes and specific outcomes that were established in the Common Curriculum Framework.

Background

The Common Curriculum Framework was developed by the seven ministries of education (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan and Yukon Territory) in collaboration with teachers, administrators, parents, business representatives, post-secondary educators and others. The framework identifies beliefs about mathematics, general and specific student outcomes, and achievement indicators agreed upon by the seven jurisdictions.

Beliefs About Students & Mathematics Learning

Students are curious, active learners with individual interests, abilities and needs. They come to classrooms with varying knowledge, life experiences and backgrounds. A key component in successfully developing numeracy is making connections to these backgrounds and experiences.

Students learn by attaching meaning to what they do, and they need to construct their own meaning of mathematics. This meaning is best developed when learners encounter mathematical experiences that proceed from the simple to the complex and from the concrete to the abstract. Through the use of manipulatives and a variety of pedagogical approaches, teachers can address the diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds and developmental stages of students, and enhance within them the formation of sound, transferable mathematical understandings. At all levels, students benefit from working with a variety of materials, tools and contexts when constructing meaning about new mathematical ideas. Meaningful student discussions provide essential links among concrete, pictorial and symbolic representations of mathematical concepts.

The learning environment should value and respect the diversity of students' experiences and ways of thinking, so that students are comfortable taking intellectual risks, asking questions and posing conjectures. Students need to explore problem-solving situations in order to develop personal strategies and become mathematically literate. They must realize that it is acceptable to solve problems in a variety of ways and that a variety of solutions may be acceptable.

First Nations, Métis & Inuit Perspectives 

First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in northern and western Canada come from diverse geographic areas with varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Students attend schools in a variety of settings, including urban, rural and isolated communities. Teachers need to understand the diversity of students' cultures and experiences.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit students often have a holistic view of the environment - they look for connections in learning and learn best when mathematics is contextualized. They may come from cultures where learning takes place through active participation. Traditionally, little emphasis was placed upon the written word, so oral communication and practical applications and experiences are important to student learning and understanding. By understanding and responding to nonverbal cues, teachers can optimize student learning and mathematical understanding.

A variety of teaching and assessment strategies help build upon the diverse knowledge, cultures, communication styles, skills, attitudes, experiences and learning styles of students.

Research indicates that when strategies go beyond the incidental inclusion of topics and objects unique to a culture or region, greater levels of understanding can be achieved (Banks and Banks, 1993).

Affective Domain

A positive attitude is an important aspect of the affective domain and has a profound impact on learning. Environments that create a sense of belonging, encourage risk taking and provide opportunities for success help develop and maintain positive attitudes and self-confidence within students. Students with positive attitudes toward learning mathematics are likely to be motivated and prepared to learn, participate willingly in classroom activities, persist in challenging situations and engage in reflective practices.

Teachers, students and parents need to recognize the relationship between the affective and cognitive domains, and attempt to nurture those aspects of the affective domain that contribute to positive attitudes. To experience success, students must be taught to set achievable goals and assess themselves as they work toward these goals.

Striving toward success and becoming autonomous and responsible learners are ongoing, reflective processes that involve revisiting the setting and assessing of personal goals.

Early Childhood

Young children are naturally curious and develop a variety of mathematical ideas before they enter Kindergarten. Children make sense of their environment through observations and interactions at home, in daycares, in preschools and in the community. Mathematics learning is embedded in everyday activities, such as playing, reading, beading, baking, storytelling and helping around the home.

Activities can contribute to the development of number and spatial sense in children. Curiosity about mathematics is fostered when children are engaged in, and talking about, such activities as comparing quantities, searching for patterns, sorting objects, ordering objects, creating designs and building with blocks.

Positive early experiences in mathematics are as critical to child development as are early literacy experiences.

Goals For Students

The main goals of mathematics education are to prepare students to:

  • use mathematics confidently to solve problems
  • communicate and reason mathematically
  • appreciate and value mathematics
  • make connections between mathematics and its applications
  • commit themselves to lifelong learning
  • become mathematically literate adults, using mathematics to contribute to society.

Students who have met these goals will:

  • gain understanding and appreciation of the contributions of mathematics as a science, philosophy and art
  • exhibit a positive attitude toward mathematics
  • engage and persevere in mathematical tasks and projects
  • contribute to mathematical discussions
  • take risks in performing mathematical tasks
  • exhibit curiosity.
Conceptual Framework For K–9 Mathematics

The chart below provides an overview of how mathematical processes and the nature of mathematics influence learning outcomes.

★ Achievement indicators for the prescribed program of studies outcomes are provided in the companion documentAlberta K–9 Mathematics Achievement Indicators, 2016

Mathematical Processes

There are critical components that students must encounter in a mathematics program in order to achieve the goals of mathematics education and embrace lifelong learning in mathematics.

Students are expected to:

Communication

communicate in order to learn and express their understanding

Connections

connect mathematical ideas to other concepts in mathematics, to everyday experiences and to other disciplines

Mental Mathematics and Estimation

demonstrate fluency with mental mathematics and estimation

Problem Solving

develop and apply new mathematical knowledge through problem solving

Reasoning

develop mathematical reasoning

Technology

select and use technologies as tools for learning and for solving problems

Visualization

develop visualization skills to assist in processing information, making connections and solving problems.

The program of studies incorporates these seven interrelated mathematical processes that are intended to permeate teaching and learning.

Communication

Students need opportunities to read about, represent, view, write about, listen to and discuss mathematical ideas. These opportunities allow students to create links between their own language and ideas, and the formal language and symbols of mathematics.

Communication is important in clarifying, reinforcing and modifying ideas, attitudes and beliefs about mathematics. Students should be encouraged to use a variety of forms of communication while learning mathematics. Students also need to communicate their learning using mathematical terminology.

Communication helps students make connections among concrete, pictorial, symbolic, oral, written and mental representations of mathematical ideas.

Connections

Contextualization and making connections to the experiences of learners are powerful processes in developing mathematical understanding. This can be particularly true for First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners. When mathematical ideas are connected to each other or to real-world phenomena, students begin to view mathematics as useful, relevant and integrated.

Learning mathematics within contexts and making connections relevant to learners can validate past experiences and increase student willingness to participate and be actively engaged.

The brain is constantly looking for and making connections. "Because the learner is constantly searching for connections on many levels, educators need to orchestrate the experiences from which learners extract understanding... Brain research establishes and confirms that multiple complex and concrete experiences are essential for meaningful learning and teaching" (Caine and Caine, 1991, p. 5).

Mental Mathematics and Estimation

Mental mathematics is a combination of cognitive strategies that enhance flexible thinking and number sense. It is calculating mentally without the use of external memory aids.

Mental mathematics enables students to determine answers without paper and pencil. It improves computational fluency by developing efficiency, accuracy and flexibility.

"Even more important than performing computational procedures or using calculators is the greater facility that students need - more than ever before - with estimation and mental math" (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, May 2005).

Students proficient with mental mathematics "become liberated from calculator dependence, build confidence in doing mathematics, become more flexible thinkers and are more able to use multiple approaches to problem solving" (Rubenstein, 2001, p. 442).

Mental mathematics "provides the cornerstone for all estimation processes, offering a variety of alternative algorithms and nonstandard techniques for finding answers" (Hope, 1988, p. v).

Estimation is used for determining approximate values or quantities or for determining the reasonableness of calculated values. It often uses benchmarks or referents. Students need to know when to estimate, how to estimate and what strategy to use.

Estimation assists individuals in making mathematical judgements and in developing useful, efficient strategies for dealing with situations in daily life.

Problem Solving

Learning through problem solving should be the focus of mathematics at all grade levels. When students encounter new situations and respond to questions of the type How would you...? or How could you...?, the problem-solving approach is being modelled. Students develop their own problem-solving strategies by listening to, discussing and trying different strategies.

A problem-solving activity must ask students to determine a way to get from what is known to what is sought. If students have already been given ways to solve the problem, it is not a problem, but practice. A true problem requires students to use prior learnings in new ways and contexts. Problem solving requires and builds depth of conceptual understanding and student engagement.

Problem solving is a powerful teaching tool that fosters multiple, creative and innovative solutions. Creating an environment where students openly look for, and engage in, finding a variety of strategies for solving problems empowers students to explore alternatives and develops confident, cognitive mathematical risk takers.

Reasoning

Mathematical reasoning helps students think logically and make sense of mathematics. Students need to develop confidence in their abilities to reason and justify their mathematical thinking. High-order questions challenge students to think and develop a sense of wonder about mathematics.

Mathematical experiences in and out of the classroom provide opportunities for students to develop their ability to reason. Students can explore and record results, analyze observations, make and test generalizations from patterns, and reach new conclusions by building upon what is already known or assumed to be true.

Reasoning skills allow students to use a logical process to analyze a problem, reach a conclusion and justify or defend that conclusion.

Technology  

Technology contributes to the learning of a wide range of mathematical outcomes and enables students to explore and create patterns, examine relationships, test conjectures and solve problems.

Calculators and computers can be used to:

  • explore and demonstrate mathematical relationships and patterns
  • organize and display data
  • extrapolate and interpolate
  • assist with calculation procedures as part of solving problems
  • decrease the time spent on computations when other mathematical learning is the focus
  • reinforce the learning of basic facts
  • develop personal procedures for mathematical operations
  • create geometric patterns
  • simulate situations
  • develop number sense.

Technology contributes to a learning environment in which the growing curiosity of students can lead to rich mathematical discoveries at all grade levels.

Visualization  

Visualization "involves thinking in pictures and images, and the ability to perceive, transform and recreate different aspects of the visual-spatial world" (Armstrong, 1993, p. 10). The use of visualization in the study of mathematics provides students with opportunities to understand mathematical concepts and make connections among them.

Visual images and visual reasoning are important components of number, spatial and measurement sense. Number visualization occurs when students create mental representations of numbers.

Being able to create, interpret and describe a visual representation is part of spatial sense and spatial reasoning. Spatial visualization and reasoning enable students to describe the relationships among and between 3-D objects and 2-D shapes.

Measurement visualization goes beyond the acquisition of specific measurement skills. Measurement sense includes the ability to determine when to measure, when to estimate and which estimation strategies to use (Shaw and Cliatt, 1989).

Visualization is fostered through the use of concrete materials, technology and a variety of visual representations.

Nature of Mathematics

Mathematics is one way of trying to understand, interpret and describe our world. There are a number of components that define the nature of mathematics and these are woven throughout this program of studies. The components are change, constancy, number sense, patterns, relationships, spatial sense and uncertainty.

Change

It is important for students to understand that mathematics is dynamic and not static. As a result, recognizing change is a key component in understanding and developing mathematics.

Within mathematics, students encounter conditions of change and are required to search for explanations of that change. To make predictions, students need to describe and quantify their observations, look for patterns, and describe those quantities that remain fixed and those that change. For example, the sequence 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ... can be described as:

  • the number of a specific colour of beads in each row of a beaded design
  • skip counting by 2s, starting from 4
  • an arithmetic sequence, with first term 4 and a common difference of 2
  • a linear function with a discrete domain (Steen, 1990, p. 184).
Constancy

Different aspects of constancy are described by the terms stability, conservation, equilibrium, steady state and symmetry (AAAS - Benchmarks, 1993, p. 270). Many important properties in mathematics and science relate to properties that do not change when outside conditions change. Examples of constancy include the following:

  • The ratio of the circumference of a teepee to its diameter is the same regardless of the length of the teepee poles.
  • The sum of the interior angles of any triangle is 180°.
  • The theoretical probability of flipping a coin and getting heads is 0.5.

Some problems in mathematics require students to focus on properties that remain constant. The recognition of constancy enables students to solve problems involving constant rates of change, lines with constant slope, direct variation situations or the angle sums of polygons.

Number Sense 

Number sense is an intuition about numbers. Number sense develops when students connect numbers to their own real-life experiences and when students use benchmarks and referents. This results in students who are computationally fluent and flexible with numbers.

A true sense of number includes and goes beyond the skills of counting, memorizing facts and the situational rote use of algorithms. Mastery of number facts occurs when students understand and recall facts and is expected to be attained by students as they develop their number sense. This mastery allows for application of number facts and facility with more complex computations.

Number sense can be developed by providing rich mathematical tasks that allow students to make connections to their own experiences and their previous learning.

Patterns

Mathematics is about recognizing, describing and working with numerical and non-numerical patterns. Patterns exist in all strands of this program of studies.

Working with patterns enables students to make connections within and beyond mathematics. These skills contribute to students' interaction with, and understanding of, their environment.

Patterns may be represented in concrete, visual or symbolic form. Students should develop fluency in moving from one representation to another.

Students must learn to recognize, extend, create and use mathematical patterns. Patterns allow students to make predictions and justify their reasoning when solving routine and nonroutine problems.

Learning to work with patterns in the early grades helps students develop algebraic thinking, which is foundational for working with more abstract mathematics in higher grades.

Relationships

Mathematics is one way to describe interconnectedness in a holistic worldview. Mathematics is used to describe and explain relationships. As part of the study of mathematics, students look for relationships among numbers, sets, shapes, objects and concepts. The search for possible relationships involves collecting and analyzing data and describing relationships visually, symbolically, orally or in written form. 

Spatial Sense

Spatial sense involves visualization, mental imagery and spatial reasoning. These skills are central to the understanding of mathematics.

Spatial sense is developed through a variety of experiences and interactions within the environment. The development of spatial sense enables students to solve problems involving 3-D objects and 2-D shapes and to interpret and reflect on the physical environment and its 3-D or 2-D representations.

Some problems involve attaching numerals and appropriate units (measurement) to dimensions of shapes and objects. Spatial sense allows students to make predictions about the results of changing these dimensions; e.g., doubling the length of the side of a square increases the area by a factor of four. Ultimately, spatial sense enables students to communicate about shapes and objects and to create their own representations.

Uncertainty

In mathematics, interpretations of data and the predictions made from data may lack certainty.

Events and experiments generate statistical data that can be used to make predictions. It is important to recognize that these predictions (interpolations and extrapolations) are based upon patterns that have a degree of uncertainty.

The quality of the interpretation is directly related to the quality of the data. An awareness of uncertainty allows students to assess the reliability of data and data interpretation.

Chance addresses the predictability of the occurrence of an outcome. As students develop their understanding of probability, the language of mathematics becomes more specific and describes the degree of uncertainty more accurately.

Strands

The learning outcomes in the program of studies are organized into four strands across the grades K–9. Some strands are subdivided into substrands. There is one general outcome per substrand across the grades K–9.

The strands and substrands, including the general outcome for each, follow.

Number

  • Develop number sense.

Patterns and Relations

Patterns

  • Use patterns to describe the world and to solve problems.

Variables and Equations

  • Represent algebraic expressions in multiple ways.

Shape and Space

Measurement

  • Use direct and indirect measurement to solve problems.

3-D Objects and 2-D Shapes

  • Describe the characteristics of 3-D objects and 2-D shapes, and analyze the relationships among them.

Transformations

  • Describe and analyze position and motion of objects and shapes.

Statistics And Probability

Data Analysis

  • Collect, display and analyze data to solve problems.

Chance and Uncertainty

  • Use experimental or theoretical probabilities to represent and solve problems involving uncertainty.

An across-the-grades listing of outcomes by strand is provided in Appendix 1.

Outcomes

The program of studies is stated in terms of general outcomes and specific outcomes.

General outcomes are overarching statements about what students are expected to learn in each strand/substrand. The general outcome for each strand/substrand is the same throughout the grades.

Specific outcomes are statements that identify the specific skills, understanding and knowledge that students are required to attain by the end of a given grade.

In the specific outcomes, the word including indicates that any ensuing items must be addressed to fully meet the learning outcome. The phrase such as indicates that the ensuing items are provided for illustrative purposes or clarification and are not requirements that must be addressed to fully meet the learning outcome. Students investigate a variety of strategies, including standard/traditional algorithms, to become proficient in at least one appropriate and efficient strategy that they understand. The teaching professional has the flexibility and responsibility to meet the learning needs of each of his or her students. Over time, students refine their strategies to increase their accuracy and efficiency.

Notes are statements that clarify the intent of a learning outcome. Notes guide the teaching professional in making judgements about teaching and learning.

Notes in some Number outcomes for grades 2–5 highlight opportunities for students to investigate standard/traditional algorithms as a strategy for operations with whole numbers. The intent of these notes is to ensure that standard/traditional algorithms are explicitly included in students’ learning experiences. Students would then use their preferred strategy to demonstrate understanding of each outcome.

Notes in some outcomes for grades 4–9 highlight opportunities for students to maintain and refine previous learnings related to number facts and operations with whole numbers, fractions and integers. The intent of these notes is to indicate that through these outcomes, previous knowledge can be maintained. There may be other outcomes that provide similar opportunities for maintaining previous learning throughout the year.

Links to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Outcomes

Some curriculum outcomes from Alberta Education's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Program of Studies can be linked to outcomes in the mathematics program so that students will develop a broad perspective on the nature of technology, learn how to use and apply a variety of technologies, and consider the impact of ICT on individuals and society. The connection to ICT outcomes supports and reinforces the understandings and abilities that students are expected to develop through the general and specific outcomes of the mathematics program. Effective, efficient and ethical application of ICT outcomes contributes to the mathematics program vision.

Links to the ICT outcomes have been identified for some specific outcomes. These links appear in square brackets below the mathematical processes for an outcome, where appropriate. The complete wording of the relevant outcomes for ICT is provided in Appendix 2.

Summary

The conceptual framework for K–9 mathematics describes the nature of mathematics, mathematical processes and the mathematical concepts to be addressed in Kindergarten to Grade 9 mathematics. The components are not meant to stand alone. Activities that take place in the mathematics classroom should stem from a problem-solving approach, be based on mathematical processes and lead students to an understanding of the nature of mathematics through specific knowledge, skills and attitudes among and between strands.

Instructional Focus 

The program of studies is arranged into four strands. These strands are not intended to be discrete units of instruction. The integration of outcomes across strands makes mathematical experiences meaningful. Students should make the connection between concepts both within and across strands.

Consider the following when planning for instruction:

  • Integration of the mathematical processes within each strand is expected.
  • Learning mathematics includes a balance between understanding, recalling and applying mathematical concepts.
  • Problem solving, reasoning and connections are vital to increasing mathematical fluency and must be integrated throughout the program.
  • There is to be a balance among mental mathematics and estimation, paper and pencil exercises, and the use of technology, including calculators and computers. Concepts should be introduced using manipulatives and be developed concretely, pictorially and symbolically.
  • Students bring a diversity of learning styles and cultural backgrounds to the classroom. They will be at varying developmental stages.
Grade 7  
Number (Gr. 7)
General Outcome: Develop number sense. 

Specific Outcome 1

Determine and explain why a number is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, and why a number cannot be divided by 0. 

Communication | Reasoning

Specific Outcome 2

Demonstrate an understanding of the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals to solve problems (for more than 1-digit divisors or 2-digit multipliers, the use of technology is expected). 

Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Technology

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned operations with whole numbers:
Grade 4, Number SO 3 – Demonstrate an understanding of addition of numbers with answers to 10 000 and their corresponding subtractions (limited to 3- and 4-digit numerals) by:

  • using personal strategies for adding and subtracting
  • estimating sums and differences
  • solving problems involving addition and subtraction.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning

Grade 5, Number SO 5 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of multiplication (2-digit by 2-digit) to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Grade 5, Number SO 6 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of division (3-digit by 1-digit), and interpret remainders to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 3

Solve problems involving percents from 1% to 100%. 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Specific Outcome 4

Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between positive terminating decimals and positive fractions and between positive repeating decimals and positive fractions. 

Communication | Connections | Reasoning | Technology

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Specific Outcome 5

Demonstrate an understanding of adding and subtracting positive fractions and mixed numbers, with like and unlike denominators, concretely, pictorially and symbolically (limited to positive sums and differences).  

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 6

Demonstrate an understanding of addition and subtraction of integers, concretely, pictorially and symbolically.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned operations with whole numbers:
Grade 4, Number SO 3 – Demonstrate an understanding of addition of numbers with answers to 10 000 and their corresponding subtractions (limited to 3- and 4-digit numerals) by:

  • using personal strategies for adding and subtracting
  • estimating sums and differences
  • solving problems involving addition and subtraction.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning

Specific Outcome 7

Compare and order positive fractions, positive decimals (to thousandths) and whole numbers by using:

  • benchmarks
  • place value
  • equivalent fractions and/or decimals.
 

Connections | Reasoning | Visualization

Patterns & Relations - Patterns (Gr. 7)
General Outcome: Use patterns to describe the world and to solve problems.

Specific Outcome 1

Demonstrate an understanding of oral and written patterns and their equivalent linear relations.  

Communication | Connections | Reasoning

Specific Outcome 2

Create a table of values from a linear relation, graph the table of values, and analyze the graph to draw conclusions and solve problems.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

[ICT: C7–3.1]

Patterns & Relations - Variables & Equations (Gr. 7)
General Outcome: Represent algebraic expressions in multiple ways. 

Specific Outcome 3

Demonstrate an understanding of preservation of equality by:

  • modelling preservation of equality, concretely, pictorially and symbolically
  • applying preservation of equality to solve equations.
  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 4

Explain the difference between an expression and an equation. 

Communication | Connections

Specific Outcome 5

Evaluate an expression, given the value of the variable(s). 

Connections | Reasoning

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned operations with whole numbers:
Grade 4, Number SO 3 – Demonstrate an understanding of addition of numbers with answers to 10 000 and their corresponding subtractions (limited to 3- and 4-digit numerals) by:

  • using personal strategies for adding and subtracting
  • estimating sums and differences
  • solving problems involving addition and subtraction.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning

Grade 5, Number SO 5 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of multiplication (2-digit by 2-digit) to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Grade 5, Number SO 6 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of division (3-digit by 1-digit), and interpret remainders to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 6

Model and solve, concretely, pictorially and symbolically, problems that can be represented by one-step linear equations of the form x + a = b, where a and b are integers. 

Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned operations with whole numbers:
Grade 4, Number SO 3 – Demonstrate an understanding of addition of numbers with answers to 10 000 and their corresponding subtractions (limited to 3- and 4-digit numerals) by:

  • using personal strategies for adding and subtracting
  • estimating sums and differences
  • solving problems involving addition and subtraction.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning

Specific Outcome 7

Model and solve, concretely, pictorially and symbolically, problems that can be represented by linear equations of the form:

  • ax + b = c
  • ax = b
  • = b, a ≠ 0
  • where a, b, and c are whole numbers.

Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned operations with whole numbers:
Grade 4, Number SO 3 – Demonstrate an understanding of addition of numbers with answers to 10 000 and their corresponding subtractions (limited to 3- and 4-digit numerals) by:

  • using personal strategies for adding and subtracting
  • estimating sums and differences
  • solving problems involving addition and subtraction.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning

Grade 5, Number SO 5 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of multiplication (2-digit by 2-digit) to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Grade 5, Number SO 6 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of division (3-digit by 1-digit), and interpret remainders to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Shape & Space - Measurement (Gr. 7)
General Outcome: Use direct and indirect measurement to solve problems. 

Specific Outcome 1

Demonstrate an understanding of circles by:

  • describing the relationships among radius, diameter and circumference
  • relating circumference to pi
  • determining the sum of the central angles
  • constructing circles with a given radius or diameter
  • solving problems involving the radii, diameters and circumferences of circles.
  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 2

Develop and apply a formula for determining the area of:

  • triangles
  • parallelograms
  • circles.
  

Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Shape & Space - 3-D Objects & 2-D Shapes (Gr. 7)
General Outcome: Describe the characteristics of 3-D objects and 2-D shapes, and analyze the relationships among them.

Specific Outcome 3

Perform geometric constructions, including:

  • perpendicular line segments
  • parallel line segments
  • perpendicular bisectors
  • angle bisectors.
 

Connections | Reasoning | Visualization

Shape & Space - Transformations (Gr. 7)
General Outcome: Describe and analyze position and motion of objects and shapes. 

Specific Outcome 4

Identify and plot points in the four quadrants of a Cartesian plane, using integral ordered pairs. 

Communication | Connections | Visualization

Specific Outcome 5

Perform and describe transformations (translations, rotations or reflections) of a 2-D shape in all four quadrants of a Cartesian plane (limited to integral number vertices). 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: C6–3.4]

Statistics & Probability - Data Analysis (Gr. 7)
General Outcome: Collect, display and analyze data to solve problems. 

Specific Outcome 1

Demonstrate an understanding of central tendency and range by:

  • determining the measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and range
  • determining the most appropriate measures of central tendency to report findings.
 

Communication | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Specific Outcome 2

Determine the effect on the mean, median and mode when an outlier is included in a data set. 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning

Specific Outcome 3

Construct, label and interpret circle graphs to solve problems. 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: P2–3.3]

Statistics & Probability - Chance & Uncertainty (Gr. 7)
General Outcome: Use experimental or theoretical probabilities to represent and solve problems involving uncertainty.

Specific Outcome 4

Express probabilities as ratios, fractions and percents. 

Communication | Connections | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Specific Outcome 5

Identify the sample space (where the combined sample space has 36 or fewer elements) for a probability experiment involving two independent events. 

Communication | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving

Specific Outcome 6

Conduct a probability experiment to compare the theoretical probability (determined using a tree diagram, table or other graphic organizer) and experimental probability of two independent events.  

Communication | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology

[ICT: C7–3.2, P2–3.4]

Grade 8  
Number (Gr. 8)
General Outcome: Develop number sense. 

Specific Outcome 1

Demonstrate an understanding of perfect squares and square roots, concretely, pictorially and symbolically (limited to whole numbers).  

Communication | Connections | Reasoning | Visualization

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned operations of multiplication and division with whole numbers:
Grade 5, Number SO 5 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of multiplication (2-digit by 2-digit) to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Grade 5, Number SO 6 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of division (3-digit by 1-digit), and interpret remainders to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 2

Determine the approximate square root of numbers that are not perfect squares (limited to whole numbers).  

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Reasoning | Technology

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned operations of multiplication and division with whole numbers:
Grade 5, Number SO 5 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of multiplication (2-digit by 2-digit) to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Grade 5, Number SO 6 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of division (3-digit by 1-digit), and interpret remainders to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 3

Demonstrate an understanding of percents greater than or equal to 0%, including greater than 100%.  

Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 4

Demonstrate an understanding of ratio and rate. 

Communication | Connections | Visualization

Specific Outcome 5

Solve problems that involve rates, ratios and proportional reasoning. 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning

Specific Outcome 6

Demonstrate an understanding of multiplying and dividing positive fractions and mixed numbers, concretely, pictorially and symbolically.  

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving

Specific Outcome 7

Demonstrate an understanding of multiplication and division of integers, concretely, pictorially and symbolically.  

Communication | Connections |Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned operations of multiplication and division with whole numbers:
Grade 5, Number SO 5 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of multiplication (2-digit by 2-digit) to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Grade 5, Number SO 6 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of division (3-digit by 1-digit), and interpret remainders to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Patterns & Relations - Patterns (Gr. 8)
General Outcome: Use patterns to describe the world and to solve problems.

Specific Outcome 1

Graph and analyze two-variable linear relations. 

Communication | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: P2–3.3]

Patterns & Relations - Variables & Equations (Gr. 8)
General Outcome: Represent algebraic expressions in multiple ways. 

Specific Outcome 2

Model and solve problems concretely, pictorially and symbolically, using linear equations of the form:

  • ax = b
  • = b, a ≠ 0
  • ax + b = c
  • + b = c, a ≠ 0
  • a(x + b) = c
where a, b and c are integers.   

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned operations with whole numbers:
Grade 4, Number SO 3 – Demonstrate an understanding of addition of numbers with answers to 10 000 and their corresponding subtractions (limited to 3- and 4-digit numerals) by:

  • using personal strategies for adding and subtracting
  • estimating sums and differences
  • solving problems involving addition and subtraction.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning

Grade 5, Number SO 5 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of multiplication (2-digit by 2-digit) to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Grade 5, Number SO 6 – Demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of division (3-digit by 1-digit), and interpret remainders to solve problems.

Communication | Connections | Mental Mathematics and Estimation | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Shape & Space - Measurement (Gr. 8)
General Outcome: Use direct and indirect measurement to solve problems. 

Specific Outcome 1

Develop and apply the Pythagorean theorem to solve problems. 

Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Specific Outcome 2

Draw and construct nets for 3-D objects. 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Specific Outcome 3

Determine the surface area of:

  • right rectangular prisms
  • right triangular prisms
  • right cylinders
to solve problems.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 4

Develop and apply formulas for determining the volume of right rectangular prisms, right triangular prisms and right cylinders.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Shape & Space - 3-D Objects & 2-D Shapes (Gr. 8)
General Outcome: Describe the characteristics of 3-D objects and 2-D shapes, and analyze the relationships among them.

Specific Outcome 5

Draw and interpret top, front and side views of 3-D objects composed of right rectangular prisms. 

Communication | Connections | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: C6–3.4]

Shape & Space - Transformations (Gr. 8)
General Outcome: Describe and analyze position and motion of objects and shapes. 

Specific Outcome 6

Demonstrate an understanding of the congruence of polygons.  

Connections | Reasoning | Visualization

Statistics & Probability - Data Analysis (Gr. 8)
General Outcome: Collect, display and analyze data to solve problems. 

Specific Outcome 1

Critique ways in which data is presented in circle graphs, line graphs, bar graphs and pictographs. 

Communication | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: C7–3.1, C7–3.2, F4–3.3]

Statistics & Probability - Chance & Uncertainty (Gr. 8)
General Outcome: Use experimental or theoretical probabilities to represent and solve problems involving uncertainty.

Specific Outcome 2

Solve problems involving the probability of independent events.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving |Technology

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Grade 9  
Number (Gr. 9)
General Outcome: Develop number sense. 

Specific Outcome 1

Demonstrate an understanding of powers with integral bases (excluding base 0) and whole number exponents by:

  • representing repeated multiplication, using powers
  • using patterns to show that a power with an exponent of zero is equal to one
  • solving problems involving powers.
  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning

Specific Outcome 2

Demonstrate an understanding of operations on powers with integral bases (excluding base 0) and whole number exponents:

  • (am)(an) = am+n
  • am ÷ an = am-n, m > n
  • (am)n = amn
  • (ab)m = ambm
  • = , b ≠ 0.
  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Specific Outcome 3

Demonstrate an understanding of rational numbers by:

  • comparing and ordering rational numbers
  • solving problems that involve arithmetic operations on rational numbers.
  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned:

Specific Outcome 4

Explain and apply the order of operations, including exponents, with and without technology.  

Problem Solving | Technology

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned:

Specific Outcome 5

Determine the square root of positive rational numbers that are perfect squares.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Specific Outcome 6

Determine an approximate square root of positive rational numbers that are non-perfect squares.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology

[ICT: P2–3.4]

Patterns & Relations - Patterns (Gr. 9)
General Outcome: Use patterns to describe the world and to solve problems. 

Specific Outcome 1

Generalize a pattern arising from a problem-solving context, using a linear equation, and verify by substitution.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 2

Graph a linear relation, analyze the graph, and interpolate or extrapolate to solve problems.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: C7–3.1, P2–3.3]

Patterns & Relations - Variables & Equations (Gr. 9)
General Outcome: Represent algebraic expressions in multiple ways. 

Specific Outcome 3

Model and solve problems, using linear equations of the form:

  • ax = b
  • = b, a ≠ 0
  • ax + b = c
  • + b = c, a ≠ 0
  • ax = b + cx
  • a(x + b) = c
  • ax + b = cx + d
  • a(bx + c) = d(ex + f)
  • = b, x ≠ 0
where a, b, c, d, e and f are rational numbers.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Specific Outcome 4

Explain and illustrate strategies to solve single variable linear inequalities with rational coefficients within a problem-solving context.  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 5

Demonstrate an understanding of polynomials (limited to polynomials of degree less than or equal to 2).  

Communication | Connections | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 6

Model, record and explain the operations of addition and subtraction of polynomial expressions, concretely, pictorially and symbolically (limited to polynomials of degree less than or equal to 2).  

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned:

Specific Outcome 7

Model, record and explain the operations of multiplication and division of polynomial expressions (limited to polynomials of degree less than or equal to 2) by monomials, concretely, pictorially and symbolically.  

Communication | Connections | Reasoning | Visualization

Note: Through this outcome, students have the opportunity to maintain and refine previously learned:

Shape & Space - Measurement (Gr. 9)
General Outcome: Use direct and indirect measurement to solve problems. 

Specific Outcome 1

Solve problems and justify the solution strategy, using the following circle properties:

  • the perpendicular from the centre of a circle to a chord bisects the chord
  • the measure of the central angle is equal to twice the measure of the inscribed angle subtended by the same arc
  • the inscribed angles subtended by the same arc are congruent
  • a tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius at the point of tangency.
 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: C6–3.1, C6–3.4]

Shape & Space - 3-D Objects & 2-D Shapes (Gr. 9)
General Outcome: Describe the characteristics of 3-D objects and 2-D shapes, and analyze the relationships among them.

Specific Outcome 2

Determine the surface area of composite 3-D objects to solve problems. 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Specific Outcome 3

Demonstrate an understanding of similarity of polygons. 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Visualization

Shape & Space - Transformations (Gr. 9)
General Outcome: Describe and analyze position and motion of objects and shapes. 

Specific Outcome 4

Draw and interpret scale diagrams of 2-D shapes. 

Connections | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: C6–3.4]

Specific Outcome 5

Demonstrate an understanding of line and rotation symmetry. 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Visualization

Statistics & Probability - Data Analysis (Gr. 9)
General Outcome: Collect, display and analyze data to solve problems. 

Specific Outcome 1

Describe the effect of:

  • bias
  • use of language
  • ethics
  • cost
  • time and timing
  • privacy
  • cultural sensitivity
on the collection of data.  

Communication | Connections | Reasoning | Technology

[ICT: F4–3.2, F4–3.3]

Specific Outcome 2

Select and defend the choice of using either a population or a sample of a population to answer a question. 

Communication | Connections | Problem Solving | Reasoning

Specific Outcome 3

Develop and implement a project plan for the collection, display and analysis of data by:

  • formulating a question for investigation
  • choosing a data collection method that includes social considerations
  • selecting a population or a sample
  • collecting the data
  • displaying the collected data in an appropriate manner
  • drawing conclusions to answer the question.

Communication | Problem Solving | Reasoning | Technology | Visualization

[ICT: C1–3.5, C4–3.1, C6–3.1, C6–3.2, C7–3.1, C7–3.2, P1–3.4, P2–3.1]

Statistics & Probability - Chance & Uncertainty (Gr. 9)
General Outcome: Use experimental or theoretical probabilities to represent and solve problems involving uncertainty. 

Specific Outcome 4

Demonstrate an understanding of the role of probability in society. 

Communication | Connections | Reasoning | Technology

[ICT: F4–3.3]

Appendices
Appendix 1: General & Specific Outcomes by Strand
Appendix 1 is available at http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/math/educator/progstudy.aspx.

Appendix 2: Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Outcomes

The following excerpts from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Program of Studies provide the complete wording for outcomes that are linked to the mathematics program of studies. For the complete ICT Program of Studies, go to the Alberta Education Web site at http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/ict/programs.aspx.

ICT Outcomes, Division 1
General OutcomesSpecific Outcomes
C4 - Students will use organizational processes and tools to manage inquiry.1.3 organize information from more than one source
C7 - Students will use electronic research techniques to construct personal knowledge and meaning.1.1 develop questions that reflect a personal information need
1.3 draw conclusions from organized information
1.4 make predictions based on organized information
P2 - Students will organize and manipulate data.1.1 read information from a prepared database
ICT Outcomes, Division 2
General OutcomesSpecific Outcomes
C1 - Students will access, use and communicate information from a variety of technologies.2.2 organize information gathered from the Internet, or an electronic source, by selecting and recording the data in logical files or categories; and by communicating effectively, through appropriate forms, such as speeches, reports and multimedia presentations, applying information technologies that serve particular audiences and purposes
C4 - Students will use organizational processes and tools to manage inquiry.2.2 organize information, using such tools as a database, spreadsheet or electronic webbing
C6 - Students will use technology to investigate and/or solve problems2.1 select and use technology to assist in problem solving
2.2 use data gathered from a variety of electronic sources to address identified problems
2.3 use graphic organizers, such as mind mapping/webbing, flow charting and outlining, to present connections between ideas and information in a problem-solving environment
2.4 solve problems, using numerical operations and such tools as calculators and spreadsheets
2.5 solve problems requiring the sorting, organizing, classifying and extending of data, using such tools as calculators, spreadsheets, databases or hypertext technology
2.7 generate alternative solutions to problems by using technology to facilitate the process
C7 - Students will use electronic research techniques to construct personal knowledge and meaning.2.1 use a variety of technologies to organize and synthesize researched information
P2 - Students will organize and manipulate data.2.1 enter and manipulate data by using such tools as spreadsheets or databases for a specific purpose
2.2 display data electronically through graphs and charts
P5 - Students will navigate and create hyperlinked resources.2.3 navigate the Internet with appropriate software
ICT Outcomes, Division 3
General OutcomesSpecific Outcomes
C1 - Students will access, use and communicate information from a variety of technologies.3.5 analyze and synthesize information to create a product
C4 - Students will use organizational processes and tools to manage inquiry.3.1 create a plan for an inquiry that includes consideration of time management
C6 - Students will use technology to investigate and/or solve problems.3.1 articulate clearly a plan of action to use technology to solve a problem
3.2 identify the appropriate materials and tools to use in order to accomplish a plan of action
3.4 pose and test solutions to problems by using computer applications, such as computer-assisted design or simulation/modelling software
C7 - Students will use electronic research techniques to construct personal knowledge and meaning.3.1 identify patterns in organized information
3.2 make connections among related, organized data, and assemble various pieces into a unified message
F4 - Students will become discerning consumers of mass media and electronic information.3.2 understand the nature of various media and how they are consciously used to influence an audience
3.3 identify specific techniques used by the media to elicit particular responses from an audience
P1 - Students will compose, revise and edit text.3.4 use appropriate communication technology to elicit feedback from others
P2 - Students will organize and manipulate data.3.1 design, create and modify a database for a specific purpose
3.3 use a variety of technological graphing tools to draw graphs for data involving one or two variables
3.4 use a scientific calculator or a computer to solve problems involving rational numbers

References

American Association for the Advancement of Science [AAAS - Benchmarks]. Benchmarks for Science Literacy. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Armstrong, Thomas. 7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Many Intelligences. New York, NY: Plume, 1993.

Banks, J. A. and C. A. M. Banks. Multicultural Education: Issues and Perspectives. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 1993.

British Columbia Ministry of Education. The Primary Program: A Framework for Teaching. Victoria, BC: British Columbia Ministry of Education, 2000.

Caine, Renate Nummela and Geoffrey Caine. Making Connections: Teaching and the Human Brain. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1991.

Hope, Jack A. et al. Mental Math in the Primary Grades. Palo Alto, CA: Dale Seymour Publications, 1988.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Computation, Calculators, and Common Sense: A Position of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. May 2005. http://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/About_NCTM/Position_Statements/computation.pdf (Accessed May 23, 2014).

Rubenstein, Rheta N. "Mental Mathematics beyond the Middle School: Why? What? How?" Mathematics Teacher 94, 6 (September 2001), pp. 442 - 446.

Shaw, J. M. and M. J. P. Cliatt. "Developing Measurement Sense." In P. R. Trafton (ed.), New Directions for Elementary School Mathematics: 1989 Yearbook (Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1989), pp. 149 - 155.

Steen, L. A., ed. On the Shoulders of Giants: New Approaches to Numeracy. Washington, DC: Mathematical Sciences Education Board, National Research Council, 1990.

Western and Northern Canadian Protocol for Collaboration in Basic Education (Kindergarten to Grade 12). The Common Curriculum Framework for K - 9 Mathematics: Western and Northern Canadian Protocol. May 2006. http://www.wncp.ca/media/38765/ccfkto9.pdf (Accessed May 23, 2014).

 





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