1 CONTENTS Improving Teaching Methods in Mathematics in Primary Schools. 3rd March 2010 Japan

2 Who taught us about contents? Profesor Masami ISODA. “Learning for/by themselves ”. Profesor Isoda at lecture

3 Who taught us about contents? Profesor Shizumi SHIMIZU. The challenges for school mathematics in Japan. Profesor Shimizu at lecture.

4 Who taught us about contents? Profesor Tsubota. Methodology of material study in mathematics. Profesor Tsubota using materials at lecture.

5 Who taught us about contents? Shibayama sensei. Educational system and practice in Japan. Shibayama sensei giving us a CD on Japan Educational System.

6 Who taught us about contents? Katzuaki Serizawa. Gakko Tosho Co. Katzuaki Serizawa explaining textbooks procedures

7 What did we learn? The curriculum is a school education plan that is organized in a comprehensive way within the framework of a school timetable, and adapts educational contents to the physical and menthal development stage reached by the children with the aim of achieving the targets and objetives of school education. Isoda, Murata, The curriculum. JICA, march 2004.

8 Goal Goals in Mathematic Curriculum have changed in time. The national curriculuar standards are stipulated in the National Course of Study. The goals has being changing as follows: yeargoal 1950sEduaction in Mathematics problem solving skills to solve social problems. 1960sUnderstanding of mathematics concepts. 1970sCultivation of the ability to think from integrating and developing point of view. 1980sAcquistion of basic mathematics knowledge and skills. 1990sAppreciation of the meaning of mathematics. 2000sGetting enjoyment from mathematics activities.

9 Main objective. Through mathematical activities, To promote the ability to think and express with good perspective and logically on matters of everyday life, To foster the attitude to make use of mathematics in their lives as well as in their learning. Shizumi Shimizu, Lecture: The challenges for school mathematics in Japan, 4th Feb Students in math class working with activities.

10 Profesor Tsubota working Prime numbers activity. Example of teaching prime numbers through mathematical activities.

11 Contents The contents covered in Elementary schools in Japan are: A) Numbers and Calculations, B) Quantities and measurements, C) Geometrical Figures, D) Mathematical Relations. Shizumi Shimizu, Lecture: The challenges for school mathematics in Japan, 4th Feb Students working in numbers and calculations in class.

12 Example of content approach: Multiplication. MULTIPLICATION IN ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM. Multiplication is introduce in 2º grade. In 3rd grade work is done in mulitplication of 2 digit times 1 digit and 3 digit numbers times 1 digit. Learning Decimal multiplication is in 5º grade. At the end of elementary school fractional multiplication is taught. Mathematics for Elementary Schools, GAKKOTOSHO CO., LTD JAPAN.

13 How to work multiplication. DEFINITION. Multiplication is the calculation used to get a total when there is the same number per set and the number of sets is known. The meaning of there are 5 boxes of 3 pieces each is written in mathematical symbols as 3 x 5, or read as “5 times 3”. The 5 plays the role of UNIT in the multiplication. The introduction can be done using number 2, then working with 5, following 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and at the end number 1. To teach the multiplication is important to teach the product of equal group numbers. The introduction of the product TIMES 2 and TIMES 5 by counting, can be extended later to TIMES 3 AND TIMES 4. Then students can develop the products TIMES 6, 7, 8, 9 and 1 by themselves. At the end is important to work the table and some games. Mathematics for Elementary Schools, GAKKOTOSHO CO., LTD JAPAN.

14 Unit Sequence

15 Multiplication approach. Multiplication work in textbooks. Examples of Japanese multiplication approach.

16 Curriculum implementation. There are 3 types of educational curricula: The intended, the implemented and the achieved curriculum. The implementation of the curriculum is conducted internally within each school. The school principal is responsible for developing a school curriculum based on the national course of study. Each school creates an anual lesson plan and a class schedule. Isoda et all, Japanesse Lesson Study in Mahtematics. World Scientifc Publising Co, 2007 Singapore.

17 Lesson Study and Curriculum The teacher organizational activities includes different kind of meetings; academic subjects, grade levels, etc.. Within these meetings sessions, Lesson Study are organized for improving lessons based on objectives and examining students learning, it is held about 10 times a year in a form of research lesson. A teacher supervisor from the board of education is invited to observe lessons and provide suggestions. The Lesson Study are share with others through magazines for teachers, research reports and research meetings. Isoda et all, Japanesse Lesson Study in Mahtematics. World Scientifc Publising Co, 2007 Singapore.

18 Textbooks The Ministry of education exercise legal control of textbook authorization. The textbooks are distributed free of charge to all pupils. The board of education of each prefecture select the textbook in consultation with a subject specialist selection commitee. The textbooks are revised aproximately every 4 years. Isoda, Murata, The curriculum. JICA, march Textbook analysis in training course.

19 Curriculum Reform Reforms of the curriculum takes place every 10 years. During the 10 years, numerous meetings and discusions are held, in this sense, work on realization of curriculum and on curriculum reform constantly coexist. Isoda, Murata, The curriculum. JICA, march 2004.

20 References Isoda, Murata, The curriculum. JICA, march Shizumi Shimizu, Lecture: The challenges for school mathematics in Japan, 4th Feb Isoda et all, Japanesse Lesson Study in Mahtematics. World Scientifc Publising Co, 2007 Singapore. Mathematics for Elementary Schools, GAKKOTOSHO CO., LTD JAPAN.

21 Thank you Domo arigato gozaimasu Muito obrigado Tank yu Tumas Merci Grazie Danke Gracias