| CODE | PRE1124 | ||||||
| TITLE | Mathematics in the Early Years: Number and Algebra | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 3 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Early Childhood and Primary Education | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit will highlight the influence of key education theorists on early childhood mathematics education and recent research into Early Childhood mathematics will be discussed. Young children’s mathematical experiences will be considered. These include everyday experiences, informal and more formal learning settings, mathematical language,children's modes of representation and standard symbolisation amongst others. With respect to ages 3 – 7, the five key mathematical strands will be introduced in order to ensure that the students themselves understand the mathematical concepts and their application to the early years. The strands are Number & Operations (counting, number, place value, mental and written computations), Algebra (pattern, relations, properties of operations, modelling situations, change), Geometry (recognition of 2D & 3D shapes, properties, directions & positions, spatial reasoning), Measurement (recognition and comparison of attributes, standard & non-standard units) and Data Analysis and Probability (sorting & classifying, posing questions, collecting and representing data, likeliness of events). With regard to pedagogic strategies, the main focus of this study-unit will be the Number and Algebra strand. Students will also learn how to plan suitable activities for young children and how to assess children's engagement and learning. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to provide students with an understanding and knowledge of general mathematical development in young children and a knowledge of pedagogic strategies appropriate for early childhood learning contexts. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - outline key theories influencing mathematics education; reflect on relevant research; - explain key mathematical concepts related to Number and Algebra and apply them to early years teaching/learning settings; - use various modes of representation (models, language, symbols) to express mathematical ideas; - be critical of textbooks used in the local educational scene. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Plan activities suitable for individuals, groups and classes; - Design, prepare or select appropriate resources; - Plan and carry out a variety of assessment strategies. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: - Montague-Smith, A. (2012). Mathematics in Nursery Education (2nd edition). London: David Fulton. - Sperry Smith, S. (2012). Early Childhood Mathematics (5th Edition). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Supplementary: - Cavanagh, M, Findell, C & Greenes, C. (2008). Algebra Readiness Made Easy: Grade 1: An Essential Part of Every Math Curriculum. London: Scholastic Educational Resources. - Clemson, D., & Clemson, W. (1994). Mathematics in the Early Years. London: Routledge. - Kamii, C. (1994). Young Children Continue to Reinvent Arithmetic. New York: Teachers College Press. - Moomaw, s. & Hieronymus, B. (1995). More Than Counting: Whole-Math Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf. - Schiller, P. & Peterson, L (1997). Count on Math: Activities for Small Hands and Lively Minds. Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House. - Smith, S. Z .& Smith, M. (2006). Teachers engaged in research: inquiry into mathematics classrooms grades PreK-2. Reston, VA: NCTM. - Van de Walle, J., Karp, K.s., and Bay-Williams,J.M. (2013). Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally (8th Edition).N.Y.Longman. - Wakefield, A. P. (1998). Early Childhood Number Games. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Marie Therese Farrugia |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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