Mathematics

The aspirations of Curriculum for Excellence have significant implications for learning and teaching in mathematics.

From early in life, numbers, patterns and shapes intrigue children and often form part of their play. As they develop, they learn to count, measure and calculate, and apply these skills to analyse and solve problems in different contexts. Children and young people can be highly motivated by rewarding and successful experiences in mathematics. Features of high quality learning and teaching in mathematics include:

• understanding of the purposes of the mathematical processes they are learning
• learning in depth to ensure development of understanding of the concepts
• development of secure skills in applying processes
• making imaginative, effective use of technologies, resources, and teaching approaches
• the placing of the ideas and applications in relevant contexts
• problem solving as an integral part of all learning and teaching in mathematics.

All teachers have responsibility for promoting the development of numeracy. With an increased emphasis upon numeracy for all children and young people, teachers will need to plan to revisit and consolidate numeracy skills throughout schooling.