Literacy Basics - Community Literacy of Ontario

Numeracy

In a general sense, numeracy means knowing about numbers and number operations. Having good numeracy skills also implies the ability to solve numerical problems, including those involving money, measurement and the telling of time. It implies a familiarity with the ways in which numerical information is gathered – by counting and measuring, and by using graphs, charts and tables.

Numeracy, therefore, can be defined as the type of math skills needed to function in everyday life, in the home and in the workplace.

The numeracy domain, like the communications domain, is divided into component learning outcomes as follows:

• Perform basic operations with numbers
• Use measurement for various purposes
• Solve geometric problems
• Manage data and probability
• Use patterning and algebra

Although many people (students and instructors alike) may say they don’t like to do math, the fact is that we all face numeracy demands and challenges on a daily basis – whether it is balancing our chequebook, using a recipe, building a bookcase, telling time or calculating the amount of the discount on an on-sale item. Like reading and writing, numeracy is best understood when learned in familiar contexts related to learners’ stated needs and goals.

The Ontario Literacy Coalition’s Level Descriptions Manual provides the following summary statements for the five numeracy levels:

Level One

Number Sense and Computation: The learner reads and writes whole numbers to 100, adds and subtracts single-digit whole numbers and understands the concept of “half”. The learner names and states the value of Canadian coins and recognizes, describes and continues simple number patterns.

Use Measurement for Various Purposes: The learner measures length, perimeter, area, capacity, mass, time and temperature using non-standard units, and describes measurement attributes using everyday language.

Solve Geometric Problems: The learner identifies, describes compares and classifies basic two- and three-dimensional figures and recognizes and create symmetrical figures.

Manage Data and Probability: The learner collects and sorts a small number of simple data, displays these data on given charts and pictographs and discusses these displays of data. The learner uses everyday language to discuss probability as part of familiar experience.

Level Two

Number Sense and Computation: The learner reads and writes whole numbers encountered in everyday life and handles money for daily tasks. The learner adds and subtracts multi-digit numbers, multiplies and divides numbers and uses common fractions to measure and describe. The learner recognizes and describes number patterns in which one operation is repeated.

Use Measurement for Various Purposes: The learner measures length, perimeter, area, capacity, mass, time and temperature using common standard units and describes the relationships among units of measure.

Solve Geometric Problems: The learner identifies, describes, compares and classifies various polygons, prisms and pyramids and determines lines of symmetry for two-dimensional shapes. The learner identifies and performs transformations.

Manage Data and Probability: The learner conducts surveys using self-generated questions, selects appropriate graphic organizers to sort data and constructs simple bar graphs to display data. The learner interprets data on graphs and tables and expresses understanding in a variety of ways. The learner predicts the results of simple probability experiments and carries them out.

Level Three

Number Sense and Computation: The learner adds, subtracts, multiples and divides whole numbers and decimals; he/she understands the relationship between decimals and fractions; he/she creates and continues number patterns based on two alternating rules.

Use Measurement for Various Purposes: The learner measures length, capacity, volume, mass, time and temperature with precision using appropriate standard units and calculates the perimeter and area of rectangles and squares using formulae.

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