The specific focus of content areas in the Intermediate Phase


Content area


Numbers, Operations and Relationships


General focus


y Meaning of numbers y Relationships between numbers


y Relative sizes of numbers


y Different representations of numbers


y Operations with numbers


y Estimation and checking solutions


Specific focus


y Up to 9-digit whole numbers


y Decimal fractions up to two decimal places


y Common fractions in percentage form


y Move from counting to fluency in all four operations


y Place value y Recognise and describe properties of numbers and operations


y Identify properties, multiples and factors


y Commutative, associative and distributive properties


Patterns,


Functions and Algebra


y Learner to achieve fluent manipulation skills which will carry over into other domains of the subject


y Describe patterns and relationships with graphs, flow diagrams and tables


y Identify and analyse regularities and change in patterns


y Make predictions and solve problems


Space and Shape (Geometry)


y Properties of shapes and objects


y Relationships between these properties


y Orientations, positions and transformations of shapes and objects


y Patterns extended to include focus between terms in a sequence, as well as between the place of the term and the term itself


y Develop the concepts of variable, relationship, and functions


y Generate rules for patterns


y Use of different and equivalent representations – tables, flow diagrams, number sentences, verbally


y Move from recognition and description to classification and characteristics and properties


y Drawing 2D shapes and modelling 3D objects


y Describe the location, position, symmetry and transformation of a shape or object


20 Section 3: Teaching and learning Mathematics


Learners should work with physical shapes and objects in the class as often as possible. Reinforce the vocabulary often by having posters, diagrams around the class.


Have concrete apparatus for learners to use when working with patterns. Learners at this age find concrete and practical tasks helpful. Encourage learners to use concrete apparatus or drawings whenever they work with patterns to help them visualise the pattern.


Teaching tips


Encourage learners to use the concrete apparatus for representing numbers for as long as they feel it is necessary. This is important in helping learners visualise the numbers when they perform increasingly complex operations.


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