Enhancing Primary Mathematics Teaching and Learning by David Burghes - Essay Example

The article reccomends that math programs for children must shift from focusing on numeracy and begin to explore concepts and ideas, which will develop a more powerful foundation in math (Burghes, 2012).

                   Thirdly, the article recommends that math teachers need focus more on designing better lesson plans. Studying the Japanese structure of lesson study, in which math teachers undergo professional development by using their ‘research lessons’ to share their practice (Burghes, 2012). The article contends that this type of professional development successfully changes approaches to teaching since it gets all teachers engaged and on board. In the lesson study, the article proposes that teachers should first come up with an overarching lesson study aim. In addition, they should agree on the objectives for each lesson among themselves, plan a research lesson that satisfies two or more of the objectives, carry out an in-depth review after teaching the lessons, and note action plans that will be disseminated to be used for the next lesson cycle. Finally, the author claims that learning mathematical concepts will only be improved with leadership. The math coordinator must be a leader in the initiative to improve the teaching and learning of math concepts. The coordinator will take responsibility for supporting and encouraging the rest, discussing and monitoring their progress, and intervening in the presence of uncertainties and problems (Burghes, 2012).

                   The article studies an innovative math program for children that have achieved impressive results in Hungary, which is called the Mathematics Enhancement Program (Burghes, 2012). Most of the lessons learned from the article are relevant to the US math curriculum. It is non-confrontational and friendly, encouraging teachers to engage pupils in discussion to find solutions to problems in math. The innovative structure enables the lesson plans to support class work, which is fast-paced and varied. A comprehensive program ensures continual progression and revision of logical and small math steps and concepts that remain the key to mastery for all pupils every year. Instead of reviewing the concepts until all the pupils understand them, the article proposes continual challenging development that challenges the best learners and revisits previous knowledge areas for pupils who struggle with math.

                   As a nation that has continually underperformed with regard to math, ranked 20th of 80 countries, with fewer pupils electing to continue studying math past the age of 15, this process will be of much use. Math has been singled out as the number one target for ambitious changes for children. This process will allow for more specific and tougher learning targets, mental fractions and arithmetic, and a return to the memorizing approach. If the performance in math is to improve in the US, the pupils must be equipped with skills in math to be successful in the international market. To do this, the best practice reforms will have to start from the lowest level.