Notes on a math curriculum

As the subject coordinator for mathematics at PAREF Springdale School, I presided over the meeting yesterday which looked at our performance matrix for the entire curriculum.

Our target was to finish a single level, and we focused on the primary school (grades 1 to 3).

My training back at the University of San Carlos was for high school mathematics, and I realized that I need some input on the development of mathematical thinking in the earlier grades. I only remember some basic information (from my readings and from actual experience being a grade 1/2/3 student almost two decades ago): multiplication tables are introduced at Grade 2, clocks and calendars are necessary in grade 1, etc.

It seems to me too that the DepEd curriculum for the earlier grades nowadays is a lot crowdier than what it was two decades ago. Then there is the nebulous "Geometry" portion for the fourth quarter (grading period) of each grade.

Also, a lot of parents, teachers and school administrators seem to think that it is necessary to have their children learn the multiplication table in grade 1. The question is not whether they can; I believe they can, given enough time to drill it in and a good teacher to guide the students. But whether it is the best time to put it in the curriculum is another question.