Preparing young kids for new Grade 9 math course

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Ministry of Education released the new elementary mathematics curriculum for Grades 1-8 on June 23^rd, 2020.

This document will lay the foundations for how students are prepared for high school math. The areas of emphasis in this document are numbers, algebra, data, spatial sense and financial literacy. This back-to-basics approach to learning mathematics will focus on rote memorization and mastery of fundamental skills. This new curriculum is the first update since 2005 and will commence in September 2020.

The Ministry of Education announced on July 9^th, 2020 that Grade 9 will be de-streamed in all Ontario’s publicly funded high schools. This means that students will no longer be in an applied or academic class, but they will all be grouped as one. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has de-streamed all Grade 9 classes starting September 2020. There will be a new foundational Grade 9 math course starting in September 2021.The Ministry is in the process of developing the content of this course, by consulting varied stakeholders. Currently, the strands in Grade 9 Math are: measurement, analytic geometry, relations and geometric ideas.

The Ontario Association of Mathematics Association (OAME) whose mission is to “promote excellence in mathematics education throughout the province of Ontario,” (www.oame.on.ca) outlined eleven beliefs and principles that learning of mathematics should be based on:

Learning is structured around the joy concepts of mathematics

Learners build a prior knowledge and understanding, and work at a developmentally appropriate level to achieve meaning

Learners are better able to transfer and use knowledge when new ideas within rich and meaningful learning contexts

The learning process is enhanced when new ideas are presented in a variety of ways and when all learners have access to “hands-on” and “mind-on” activities and opportunities

Learning is enhanced when students experience a variety of instructional approaches, ranging from direct instruction to inquiry-based learning

Learners require opportunities to interact with each other during the learning process, to teach others, to explain and justify the processes of mathematics. Learning is enhanced when the learners are encouraged to communicate their understanding

Effective mathematics education is required to engage and motivate learners, to help students develop positive attitudes about themselves and to encourage learners to make positive contributions to the learning environment

Learning is enhanced when students and teachers understand learning expectations and assessments standards and participate actively in assessing and evaluating their personal growth

Learning is enhanced when: teaching, coaching, assisting, supporting and feedback is planned and designed to improve specific learning and mental processing skills safe to accommodate different learning styles and needs

Learning is enhanced when teachers plan and reflect together

Learning is enhanced when all participants in the process are active partners within a community of learners (parents, educators, students and the community)

It is important in the new Grade 9 math program that students “Do, see, hear, and touch mathematics in a profound and meaningful way.” (www.oame.on.ca)

The units that they will have to cover are number sense and algebra, linear relations, analytic geometry, measurement and geometry. Discovery approach, where students are exposed to open-ending questions through logical thinking, small-group discussions and investigations will be deemphasized. They will have to build on fundamental skills involving number operations, mastering math facts and math skills with and without technology as well as developing mathematical fluency. The development of social-emotional skills will be key to helping students overcome math anxiety. They will develop global competencies with a focus on STEM education using real-life examples.