Resources by Subject → Primary

A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics K-6, Volume 3

A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics – Kindergarten to Grade 6-Volume Three, Classroom Resources and Management. This is volume 3 of 5 volumes published by the Ministry of Education. This reference guide presents a research-based approach to effective instruction in mathematics. Specifically, it addresses “what skills and knowledge can best help teachers meet their commitment to help every child become mathematically proficient.” From a practical standpoint the guide provides descriptions of instructional and assessment strategies. The appendices also contain a number of useful tools.

A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics K-6, Volume 3

A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics K-6, Volume 4

A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics – Kindergarten to Grade 6-Volume Four, Assessment and Home Connections. This is volume 4 of 5 volumes published by the Ministry of Education. This reference guide presents a research-based approach to effective instruction in mathematics. Specifically, it addresses “what skills and knowledge can best help teachers meet their commitment to help every child become mathematically proficient.” From a practical standpoint the guide provides descriptions of instructional and assessment strategies. The appendices also contain a number of useful tools.

A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics K-6, Volume 4

A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics K-6, Volume 5

A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics – Kindergarten to Grade 6-Volume Five, Teaching Basic Facts and Multidigit Computations. This is volume 5 of 5 volumes published by the Ministry of Education. This reference guide presents a research-based approach to effective instruction in mathematics. Specifically, it addresses “what skills and knowledge can best help teachers meet their commitment to help every child become mathematically proficient.” From a practical standpoint the guide provides descriptions of instructional and assessment strategies. The appendices also contain a number of useful tools.

A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics K-6, Volume 5

Mathematical Processes

This ministry document provides an in-depth explanation of the seven mathematical processes students need to learn and apply in order to meet the expectations in the curriculum. Each process is elucidated with examples in the following areas: role of the student; instructional strategies; sample questions; and sample feedback. There is also an explanation on how to connect the seven processes with the provincial achievement chart.

Mathematical Processes

Learning Mathematics vs. Following Rules (2007)

This four page article  is from the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat’s ‘Research into Practice series.’ The main question asked in the article is, how can teachers help students acquire a deep understanding in mathematics? The author posits that we should be encouraging students at the primary level to use their own methods to solve problems rather than simply teaching algorithms. He goes on to suggest some strategies for encouraging children to find their own solutions.

Learning Mathematics vs. Following Rules

Student Interaction in the Math Classroom (2007)

This document is from the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat’s Research into Practice series.  It focuses on how teachers can “support meaningful, high-quality interaction in the math classroom.” The four page article discusses the importance of moving from computation-based math questions to questions that require higher-order thinking. It also raises the issue of the challenges that teachers face in engaging students in complex math thinking. In order to meet those challenges strategies to encourage high-quality student interaction and guidelines for whole-class math talk are outlined.

Student Interaction in the Math Classroom

Steps in Solving a Math Problem

This K-6 reproducible checklist allows students to show that they have followed all of the steps in solving a math problem.

Steps in Solving a Math Problem.

Action Plan for Problem Solving

This resource is a graphic organizer for developing a teaching action plan. The example used is how to teach problem solving in math. The different facets of the plan are: establishing goals, ensuring focus, monitoring progress, setting short and long-term goals, and deciding what resources can support the teaching plan.

Action Plan for Problem Solving

Problem Solving Strategies Posters

These eight printable posters are useful for showing students the different methods they can use to solve problems in math: use concrete materials; act it out; draw a diagram; make a list; find a pattern; guess and check; use computation; and simplify the problem.

Problem Solving Strategies Posters

Illuminations

This website was created by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The site contains standards-based lesson plans and unit plans. The 541, K-12 lessons are organized, and searchable, by grade and standard. Many of the lesson plans have links to activity sheets and math tools mentioned in the plan. There are also 102 math activities on the site, as well as links to 724 reviewed web resources.

Illuminations