Elementary education - Essay Example

Mathematics is a vital subject and is a fundamental part of scientific disciplines. Mathematics is also applicable in daily lives; hence, it is essential for students to learn mathematics. For a mathematics teacher, it is vital to research on the most practical way to teach students, in order to make learning accommodative, to the different, comprehensive speeds of students. Students in this bracket are still experiencing progress in their cognitive development. It is important to use a teaching method that is not too complex, but at the same time, it encourages growth.

In elementary school, the concepts covered will prepare the student to face the intricate problems that will be experienced in the other levels of learning. Summary of the concepts Education concept covered in the book” A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers.” There are thirteen mathematical concepts covered. These concepts range from numerical systems to algebra thinking. Here, is a summary on the topics covered in this book. The first concept is numerical systems.

In this concept, the teacher is expected to talk about numerical systems and describe number sets. The second concept is on whole numbers and the different mathematical operations that can be performed. They include basic operations of like subtraction and addition, division and multiplication. The third concept is on algebra. Some of the lessons learned in this are what are variables, different equations and algebra functions. This topic is viewed as challenging by most elementary students. There is also the theory of ratios and fractions.

Also, discussed is how to perform mathematical functions on rational numbers. Decimal and real numbers make up the next concept. The students will be introduced to decimals and how to carry out operations on decimal numbers. Also, included in this concept are real numbers and how they are used in equations. The eighth concept is on proportions and percentages. In the concept ratios are revisited, proportion and percentages will be introduced to the students. Probability also features as one of the concepts covered in this syllabus.

Learning aides like tree diagrams are introduced to help students to comprehend better this concept. Data analysis as a concept is also introduced. The students learn about data and how different data forms are displayed and their applications in statistics. The tenth concept in the course book is on geometry. Different notions about basic geometry are explored, and angles and three-dimension geometry is covered. Measurement concepts make a part of the curriculum, in this concept; linear measurement, areas, volume and mass are discussed.

Surface area is also coved and distance theories and the Pythagoras theory feature in this concept. In the last concept, motion geometry is discussed. In this concept, translation, rotation, reflection and size transformations are also covered. All this concepts are tailored to suit the cognitive need of the age bracket that is common in elementary schools (Billstein, Lott, 2012). Relevance of the course to teachers Teachers have an extremely crucial part to play in the cognitive development of children.

It is, therefore, important for teachers to be aware of the best way to ensure that children are learning and are expanding their mental capabilities. This cannot be realized blindly research is constantly carried on how improve teaching methods. This Studies come up with improvements on the current system, hence; teachers have to be up to speed in order to adapt the positive changes being brought forward through this studies. It is imperative for teachers to study on how to be effective in their work.

This course is significant for elementary math’