Methods of Teaching Math and Science in the

Primary/Junior Division

Alexandra Spyrakos
0914822

Required reading I : Analysis and Reflection.

Title: Elementary School Mathematics Priorities
CITATION: Wilson, W. S. (2009). Elementary school mathematics priorities. Articles on Best
Practice, 40.

ABSTRACT:
In this article, the author emphasizes the
the five basic building blocks of
elementary mathematics. These building
blocks are arranged to provide a higher
standard of mathematics for students.

ANALYSIS/REFLECTION:
In the article, author Stephen Wilson
distinguishes the five building blocks to
mathematics.
He mentions that in order to understand a
mathematic concept, a student must
establish and absorb the mathematic
reasoning behind each concept. This is
important to understand, not just for
mathematics, but for other subjects as well.
Teachers must ensure that the students
understand and acknowledge reasoning
behind what they are learning to better
understand it.
The five building blocks include: numbers,
place value system, whole number
operations, fractions and decimals, and
problem solving.
In each block, Wilson discusses how each
topic should be approached by an educator
and how students should be learning; by
learning precise use of terms, operations, and
symbols within mathematics.