LINKS Learning for Teachers: Math

Overview

Math Introduction

"The great book of nature can be read only by those who know the language in which it was written. And this language is mathematics."

Galileo

"Mathematics is the abstract key which turns the lock of the physical universe."

Polkinhorne

Mathematics is a science of patterns. Using math, we can examine:

numerical patterns
patterns of shape, motion and behavior
voting patterns
patterns of repeating chance events, and so on.

Different kinds of patterns are used in various branches of mathematics.

Arithmetic and number theory describe patterns of numbers and counting.
Geometry investigates patterns of shape.
Calculus allows us to handle patterns of motion.
Logic deals with patterns of reasoning.
Probability theory involves patterns of chance.
Topology describes patterns of closeness and position.

"Mathematics is a symbolic language, one that allows us to deal with abstract ideas and concepts that are not possible in our alphabetic language.

Mathematics is a way of looking at the world - the physical, biological, and sociological world we inhabit and the inner world of our minds and thoughts.

Mathematics is a way of making the invisible visible."

Adapted from Keith Devlin
The Language of Mathematics

The growth of mathematics in the twentieth century is astonishing. While many of us experienced math as a study of numbers, today's student must have a broader grasp of the ways in which math supports the fabric of our lives.

In 1900, math could be classified into about twelve distinct subjects that could fit into 80 books. During the twentieth century (especially after World War II), math exploded into expanded areas of traditional study as well as into many new areas of study. Today, the 60 or 70 subjects would fill about 100,000 volumes!

The Pre K-12 math curriculum is designed to provide students with basic understanding and skills in the following five areas:

Numbers and number sense
Measurement
Geometric sense
Algebraic sense
Probability and statistics

This math section is designed to provide information and resources to assist teachers and others in understanding and providing high quality math instruction for all students.

You will find:

a general overview of the five math content areas
content and curriculum maps
videos on math curriculum, instruction and assessment; and
a number of classroom resources.

The LINKS website continues to grow. A more in-depth series of middle school and high school math resources will be online 2004. We hope you find these materials helpful.

Math Overview

© 2004 LINKS LEARNING. All Rights Reserved. This web site was supported by The Fund for The Improvement of Education and Technology Challenge programs, U.S. Department of Education, under Grants R215R980003 and R303K000037. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the Department or any other agency of the U.S. Government. | Site design by Limelight Technologies.