Literacy Basics - Community Literacy of Ontario

Solve Geometric Problems: The learner identifies, describes, compares and classifies quadrilaterals and triangles and identifies and constructs similar, congruent and symmetrical figures. The learner identifies and applies transformations. The learner locates points on maps and grids using a coordinate system.

Manage Data and Probability: The learner designs and conducts surveys, records results on tally charts and spreadsheets and displays data on labeled graphs. The learner calculates the mean and mode of a set of data and identifies the important features of data collected by others. The learner conducts simple probability experiments and uses the results to make decisions.

Level Four

Number Sense and Computation: The learner adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides fractions and integers, and performs simple calculations with percent, ratio, exponents and square roots. The learner uses a variable to represent an unknown quantity. The learner creates and continues number patterns based on two alternating operations.

Use Measurement for Various Purposes: The learner calculates the area of parallelograms, triangles and trapezoids and the volume and surface area of rectangular prisms using formulae.

Solve Geometric Problems: The learner designs nets for three-dimensional figures and identifies and constructs two-dimensional shapes that meet certain criteria. The learner applies transformations to create and analyze designs and tiling patterns. The learner locates coordinate points in the first quadrant of a Cartesian plane.

Manage Data and Probability: The learner collects and organizes data from primary and secondary sources and decides on the best method of display. The learner identifies trends, calculates measures of central tendency and makes inferences and convincing arguments based on a variety of displays of data. The learner conducts probability experiments, compares theoretical and actual results and applies probability in familiar contexts.

Level Five

Number Sense and Computation: The learner performs a variety of computations in which fractions, decimals, integers, percent, exponents and square roots may be integrated. The learner creates and solves algebraic equations.

Use Measurement for Various Purposes: The learner calculates the surface area of prisms, pyramids and cylinders; the volume and surface area of prisms; and the radius, diameter, circumference and area of a circle using formulae.

Solve Geometric Problems: The learner describes and applies the angle properties of triangles and intersecting, parallel and perpendicular lines. The learner constructs circles given centre points and points on the circle. The learner solves problems using the Pythagorean relationship. The learner plots points and graphs lines on a Cartesian plane.

Manage Data and Probability: The learner designs and carries out experiments to test hypotheses and uses data in databases and spreadsheets to solve problems. The learner explains sampling techniques and recognizes misuse of data in advertising and news reports. The learner calculates complex probabilities and applies probability in a variety of contexts.

Strategies

• Discuss math in terms of daily activities (cooking, budgeting, unit pricing, advertising flyers, scheduling) to create a context. This can help make numeracy both meaningful and relevant to the student; it may also help increase his or her appreciation for the value of math in everyday life.
• Don’t move on to new concepts until earlier skills have been mastered. Give plenty of time for practice and plenty of examples. Review earlier work on a regular basis to reinforce skills learned.
• Project work is particularly appropriate to teaching math skills and the final product can also be used as a demonstration.

Possible Activities

• Use real situations and materials to teach numeracy skills:
  1. Basic operations – money, making change, grocery lists, flyers, menus, bills, receipts, invoices, pay slips, etc.
  2. Telling time – addition/subtraction of times, timetables
  3. Comparisons – prices
  4. Percentages – receipts (PST and GST are good for this!)
  5. Measurement – wallpaper, carpet, paint, baseboard
  6. Weight, volume, etc. – recipes
• For absolute beginners, work on counting, place value, number lines, zero, basic addition and subtraction, number words, cardinal and ordinal numbers

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Questions for Reflection

1. How can you help learners overcome a fear of numeracy?
2. How do you know that students have mastered numeracy skills?

Resources

Harwood, Chris. Handbook for Literacy Tutors. Edmonton: Grass Roots Press, 2001.

Laubach Literacy’s Breakthrough to Math series (www.laubach-on.ca/bookstore) covers math skills from whole numbers to geometry. It is available from AlphaPlus

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