Math Standards

2. When you talk to your second grader about being close to bedtime or making a little less noise, or being about twenty minutes late, you're reinforcing the vocabulary of what essential math skill?

• Patterns
  Incorrect. Terms such as "little less," "close to," and "about" describe estimation -- an important math skill that ties into number sense. Learning to estimate numbers, measurements and quantities helps kids develop their ability to sense when an answer or result is reasonable. That's a particularly important skill when they start using a calculator.
• Estimation
  Correct. Terms such as "little less," "close to," and "about" describe estimation -- an important math skill that ties into number sense. Learning to estimate numbers, measurements and quantities helps kids develop their ability to sense when an answer or result is reasonable. That's a particularly important skill when they start using a calculator.
• Fractions
  Incorrect. Terms such as "little less," "close to," and "about" describe estimation -- an important math skill that ties into number sense. Learning to estimate numbers, measurements and quantities helps kids develop their ability to sense when an answer or result is reasonable. That's a particularly important skill when they start using a calculator.

3. One elementary math standard calls for students to "develop reasonable proficiency with basic facts and algorithms." What's an algorithm?

• A theory
  Incorrect. An algorithm is a step-by-step problem-solving procedure. In a good math classroom, kids are mastering basic facts and algorithms with the help of models, manipulatives, and other hands-on materials.
• A step-by-step problem-solving procedure
  Correct. In a good math classroom, kids are mastering basic facts and algorithms with the help of models, manipulatives, and other hands-on materials.
• A recurrent series of numbers
  Incorrect. An algorithm is a step-by-step problem-solving procedure. In a good math classroom, kids are mastering basic facts and algorithms with the help of models, manipulatives, and other hands-on materials.

4. The teacher draws a rectangle on the chalkboard, fills in a portion of it, and asks students, "About how much is the shaded part?" What is being explored here?

• Fractions
  Correct. This activity helps kids visualize the quantity represented by a fraction. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, "children need to use physical materials to explore equivalent fractions and compare fractions. For example, with folded paper strips, children can easily see that 1/2 is the same amount as 3/6 and that 2/3 is smaller than 3/4."
• Computation
  Nope. Computation involves manipulating numbers, while this activity helps kids visualize the quantity represented by a fraction. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, "children need to use physical materials to explore equivalent fractions and compare fractions. For example, with folded paper strips, children can easily see that 1/2 is the same amount as 3/6 and that 2/3 is smaller than 3/4."
• Patterns
  Nope. Recognizing patterns involves repetitive sequences. This activity helps kids visualize the quantity represented by a fraction. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, "children need to use physical materials to explore equivalent fractions and compare fractions. For example, with folded paper strips, children can easily see that 1/2 is the same amount as 3/6 and that 2/3 is smaller than 3/4."

5. In the early grades, building number skills is an important priority. When should students first be exposed to geometry?

• Elementary school
  Right. Kids' spatial capabilities are often stronger than their numerical skills, so it's important to take advantage of them early on. "Children are naturally interested in geometry and find it intriguing and motivating," reports the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. "Tapping these strengths can foster an interest in mathematics and improve number understandings and skills."
• Middle school
  Incorrect. Geometry should be an integral part of the K-4 mathematics curriculum. Kids' spatial capabilities are often stronger than their numerical skills, so it's important to take advantage of them early on. "Children are naturally interested in geometry and find it intriguing and motivating," reports the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. "Tapping these strengths can foster an interest in mathematics and improve number understandings and skills."
• High school
  Incorrect. Geometry should be an integral part of the K-4 mathematics curriculum. Kids' spatial capabilities are often stronger than their numerical skills, so it's important to take advantage of them early on. "Children are naturally interested in geometry and find it intriguing and motivating," reports the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. "Tapping these strengths can foster an interest in mathematics and improve number understandings and skills."

6. One of our national goals is to be "first in the world in mathematics." How have U.S. fourth graders stacked up against the rest of the world?

• Up there with the best
  Right. According to the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), U.S. fourth graders performed above the international average of the 26 TIMSS countries. Unfortunately, that trend doesn't continue. Math test scores are much lower when U. S. students are tested later on in 8th and 12th grades.
• Below average
  Incorrect. According to the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), U.S. fourth graders performed above the international average of the 26 TIMSS countries. Unfortunately, that trend doesn't continue. Math test scores are much lower when U. S. students are tested later on in 8th and 12th grades.
• Right around the middle
  Incorrect. According to the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), U.S. fourth graders performed above the international average of the 26 TIMSS countries. Unfortunately, that trend doesn't continue. Math test scores are much lower when U. S. students are tested later on in 8th and 12th grades.