Curriculum Laboratory

Mathematics Teaching Materials

For further assistance in using any of the resources in the Lab, please ask at the Curriculum Lab Information Services Desk

Define your topic, and check basic sources. 

  • According  to Alberta Education's Program of Studies for K-9 Mathematics (2007), the main goals of mathematics education are to prepare students to:
  • use mathematics confidently to solve problems
  • communicate and reason mathematically
  • appreciate and value mathematics
  • make connections between mathematics and its applications
  • commit themselves to lifelong learning
  • become mathematically literate adults, using mathematics to contribute to society (p. 2-3).
  • The four strands of mathematics are:
    • Number
    • Patterns and Relations
    • Shape and Space
    • Statistics and Probability (p. 4)

      Get relevant Alberta curriculum publications. Mathematics is covered in Alberta Education's curriculum publications in these places:

    • The Elementary, Junior High and Senior High Schools Program of Studies binders, found at 375 General Alta. Gr. 1-6, Gr. 7-9. and Gr. 10-12 -- mandate what must be taught in Alberta's schools. They serve as a starting point for all investigations of the Alberta school curriculum. According to the Curriculum Publications Chart, there are also these separate Mathematics Program of Studies documents:
        • Alberta program of studies for K-9 mathematics : Western Canadian Protocol for collaboration in basic education, c1996. 375 Math Alta. Gr.EC-9 (Note: Check the Implementation chart, below, to see which grades in this document are still relevant.)
        • Alberta K-9 mathematics: program of studies with achievement indicators. c2007. 375 Math Alta. Gr.EC-9
        • The common curriculum framework for K-12 mathematics, grade 10 to grade 12 : Western Canadian Protocol for collaboration in basic education. c1996. 375 Math West Gr.10-12
        • Applied and pure mathematics : program of studies, 2002.  375 Math Alta. Gr.10-12
        • Mathematics preparation 10 : program of studies, 2001.  375 Math Alta. Gr.10
        • Mathematics 14-24 : program of studies, 2001.  375 Math Alta. Gr.10-11
        • Knowledge and employability, Mathematics, grades 8 and 9 : [program of studies]. c2006. 375 KE (Math) Alta. Gr.8-9
        • Knowledge and employability, Mathematics 10-4, 20-4, 30-4 : [program of studies]. c2006. 375 KE (Math) Alta. Gr.10-11
    • Other core curriculum documents, can be found under a variety of names, depending on the school subject:  e.g. Guide to Implementation , Illustrative Examples, Teacher Resource Manuals, Curriculum Guides, or Background, Exemplars and Resources.  They provide suggestions on how to teach the mandated curriculum in the Program of Studies.  According to the Curriculum Publications Chart, there are also these other core mathematics curriculum documents:
        • Alberta program of studies for K-9 mathematics : Western Canadian Protocol for collaboration in basic education, c1996.  375 Math Alta. Gr.EC-9.  This document contains Illustrative Examples.
        • Senior high mathematics 10-13-14 : interim teacher resource, 1989.  375 Math Alta. Gr.10 (Only the 14 section of this TRM still matches the Program of Studies).
        • Senior high mathematics 20, 23, 24 : interim teacher resource manual, 1990.  375 Math Alta. Gr.11. (Only the 24 section of this TRM still matches the Program of Studies).
        • Mathematics 31 : curriculum guide, 1984.  375 Math Alta. Gr.12.

    Other curriculum documents in the 375 Sci section include:

    • Sample diploma examinations or sample achievement tests, try the subject heading, "Educational tests and measurements Alberta" or a keyword search on "examinations", limited to Curriculum Lab only.
    • Castle Rock Publications has been producing two types of assessment materials, based on the Alberta Curriculum:
      • "The Key" Study Guides "have been designed to help students prepare for school tests, final exams, and standardized assessments."
      • "Student Notes and Problems," or SNAP workbooks, are student focused, and provide illustrative examples and explanations of the Alberta curriculum. They can be used as study aids for teachers assigning extra questions for students.
      • These titles were developed using assessment items from Alberta licensed government examinations. For more information, these titles are available in the Curriculum Laboratory (search the Library Catalogue for "Castle Rock"), or see the Castle Rock Research web site.
    • Problem Solving Challenge for mathematics. 375 Math Alta. Gr.7-8
    • Problem solving in mathematics: focus on the future. 375 Math Alta. Gr.10-12
    • Diagnostic mathematics program: elementary, division 1 and II. 375 Math Alta. Gr.1-3 and Gr.4-6.


      The dates of provincial implementation are:

        • 2007-2008
        2008-2009
        2009-2010
        2010-2011
        2001-2012
        2012-2013
        K,1,4,7 Optional (E + F)
        K,1,4,7 (E + F)
        2,5,8 (Optional) (E + F)
        2,5,8 (E + F)
        3,6,9 (Optional) (E + F)
        3,6,9 (E + F)
        10 proposed (E + F)
        11 proposed (E + F)
        12 proposed (E + F)

    Find basic and support resources recommended by Alberta Education.

    The Curriculum Laboratory orders most resources which have been approved for use in the classroom by Alberta Education. We order these items from the Learning Resources Centre (LRC). To find out what resources are recommended by Alberta Education:

    • Go to the Curriculum Laboratory main webpage.
    • Click on the link, "Alberta Education Authorized Resources Database."
    • You can select your "Curriculum Area," and "Grade Level."  The resulting long list of resources will include items such as student textbooks, teacher's manuals, student workbooks, blackline masters, test banks, other books, CD-ROMs, DVDs, distance education resources, etc.

    • If you only want to find out which resources are considered the basic textbooks for that grade and subject, do the same search as above, except choose "Student Basic " from the "Authorization Status" menu.

    Note: For titles listed as "On Order" or "In Process" below, please search for the titles in the Library Catalogue for up-to-date information. Withdrawn textbooks may still be used in some schools.

    Grades one to six: 

    • Math Focus, grades K,1,4, 7 (510 Mat)
    • Math Makes Sense, grades K, 1, 4 (510 Mat)
    • Maximizing Math, grades K, 1, 7, 8, 9 (510 Max) (NOTE: Grades K and 1 are authorized basic resources. All other grades are extra, non-authorized resources.)

    Some of these resources are still authorized, and still being used in the schools, until the new titles are available:

    • Interactions 1 to 6 (1997) (510 Int) Pending withdrawal
    • Quest 2000, grades K to 6 (1996) (510 Que) Pending withdrawal
    • Mathworks, grades 1-2 (1992) (510 Kel) Withdrawn

    Grades seven to nine: 

    • Math Makes Sense 7 (2007) (510 Mat Gr.7)
    • Math Focus 7 (2007) (510 Mat Gr.7)
    • Interactions 7 to 9 (1996) (510 Int) Withdrawn or pending withdrawal
    • Mathpower 7 to 9 (1996) (510 Mat) (Pending withdrawal) (Note also Mathpower 7, 8 and 9 Modified Program binders, authored by an Alberta teacher, organized parallel to the basic student learning resource of the same name. These authorized resources provide simpler problems, ongoing tips and support, and fun visuals, all in a blackline master formats.)
    • Minds on Math 7 to 9 (510 Min)(Pending withdrawal)  
    • Learning Equation 7 to 9 (510 Lea)(Pending withdrawal)
    • K and E resources:
      • Pacemaker Mathematics (2000) (510 Bas Gr.8-10)
      • Life Skills Math (2003) (510 Jac Gr.8-10)
      • Basic Math Skills (2003) (510 Tre Gr.9)

    Grades ten to twelve 

    • Mathematics Preparation 10:
      • Nexus (2001) (510 Nex Gr. 10)
    • Pure Mathematics:
      • Mathpower 10 to 12  (1998) (510 Mat)
      • Mathematics 10 to 12 (1998) (510 Ale)
      • Learning Equation (2002-2005) (510 Lea)
    • Pure Mathematics Bridging:
      • Mathpower 10 and 11 (1998) (510 Mat)
    • Applied Mathematics:
      • Applied Mathematics 10 to 12 (2000-2002) (510 Add)
    • Applied Mathematics Bridging:
      • Applied Mathematics 10 to 12 (2000-2002) (510 Add)
    • Mathematics 14:
      • Continuum (2002) (510 Con Gr.10)
    • Mathematics 24:
      • Quantum (2003) (510 Qua Gr.11)
    • Mathematics 31:
      • Calculus:  A First Course (1989) (515 Ste Gr.12)
      • Calculus:  A Problem Solving Approach (1998) (515 Rei Gr.12)
      • Calculus: Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic (2003) (515 Fin Gr.12)
      • Single Variable Calculus: Concepts and Contexts(2001) (515 Ste Gr.12)
    • Mathematics 10-4, 20-4, 30-4 (K and E):
      • 10-4: Pacemaker Basic Mathematics (2000) (510 Bas Gr.8-10)
      • 10-4, 20-4: Essentials of Mathematics (2002) (510 Bar Gr.10-11)

    Search the EUREKA! Library Catalogue. For subject searches, start with Subject Heading - Library of Congress Search, and browse the subject headings and "related subjects" which come up on the screen.

    Add study and teaching to the general mathematical subjects: mathematics, arithmetic, or geometry.--Gives you a wide variety of materials on the study and teaching of those mathematical subjects.

    Finding fiction materials on mathematics : 

    1) Using the Search by Subject feature on EUREKA! enter your subject and add "fiction" to it. For example, a search for counting fiction brings up such titles as: My sister ate one hare (F Gro), and The water hole (F Bas).

    2) Check the textbooks and accompanying teacher's manuals for literature connections in each chapter:

    e.g. Math Focus K-9: books related to math content are listed in each chapter overview. A complete bibliography for the grade is found at the end of the Teacher's Resource Master booklet. Math Makes Sense K-8: literature connections bibliographies are found in the Teacher's Manuals, as well as on the Pearson Education website.

    3) Check the Edmonton Public School's Literature Arrangements book or database for suggested litterature titles connected to specific outcomes in the Alberta mathematics curriculum.

    e.g. Suggested titles for 3-D objects and 2-D objects in grades 4-6: Grandfather Tang's story (F Tom) and The greedy triangle (F Bur).

    4) Search the library catalogue for the subject mathematics and literature. You will retrieve books with bibliographies of suggested suggested literature titles in mathematics.

    e.g. Geometry out loud: learning mathematics through reading and writing activities (516.007 Mow) , Figures, facts and fables: telling stories in science and math (372.677 Lip Gr. EC-6), and Math and literature (K-3) (510 Mat Gr.EC-3).

    5) For mathematics titles tied to all areas of the curriculum, search the library catalogue for the subjects interdisciplinary approach in education and mathematics.

    e.g. Any titles in the GEMS series (Great Explorations in Math and Science), or 100's of ideas for primary maths: a cross-curriculum approach

    6) Browse the "Mathematics Literature Titles" binder found on the shelves at the Curriculum Laboratory Information Desk. Most of these titles are suggestions from the Math Makes Sense textbook series.

    Mathematical problem solving:  Type in the subject heading problem solving, and limit your results to the Curriculum Laboratory.

    For the best results, type in a specific subject heading:

    • e.g. addition
    • e.g. geometry fiction

    If you are unhappy with the results of an author, title, or subject search, broaden your search using Keyword Search . It searches the author, title, subject and notes fields of an item record.

    Some example of interesting keyword searches are:

    • mathematics and edmonton schools  -- Brings up Edmonton Public School's Math to the Max series, based on the 4 strands of mathematics, and their problem solving series. As well, it brings up the new Maximizing Math series.
    • Elk Island and mathematics for high school math lesson plans
    • interdisciplinary approach in education and mathematics
    • Planning for success templates for curriculum summaries

    If you are looking for mathematics manipulatives in general, you can search the subject heading, "Manipulatives (Mathematics)." If you want specific types of manipulatives used in the Alberta curriculum (all available in the Curriculum Laboratory), you can search for these specific keywords, and limit to the location, "Curriculum Lab:"

    Abacus        
    Alge-tile and Alge-tiles attribute blocks balance base ten blocks blank dice
    Centicubes color cubes counting bears cube-a-link Cuisenaire rods
    dice double-sided counters fraction block and fraction blocks fraction circles geoblocks
    geoboards G-O-Frames (Geometry On Frames) mass set Mira (Math-Vu Mirror) Multilink cubes
    pattern blocks Polydron power polygons geometry shapes spinner
    tangrams Unifix cubes and Unifix manipulatives      

     

    Browse the shelves (If you only want to search for materials in the Curriculum Lab, click on the Limit this search button and then change the location from ANY to CURLB-Curriculum Laboratory.):

    Curriculum Lab hints and helps:  These are some of the sections of the collection where you will find mathematics materials:

    510 -- Mathematical textbooks and general resources on mathematics

    510.28 -- Mathematical teaching devices and their use (e.g. calculator problems and exercises)
    510.7 -- Study and teaching of mathematics
    510.76 -- Problem solving

    511.5  -- Graphs and graphing
    512 -- Algebra and number theory

    512.7 -- Number theory

    513 -- Arithmetic

    513.2 -- Basic number concept

    513.211 -- Addition and counting
    513.212 -- Subtraction
    513.213 -- Multiplication
    513.214 -- Division
    513.24 -- Ratios
    513.26 -- Fractions

    513.5 -- Numbers

    513.52 Binary system
    513.55 -- Decimal system

    515 -- Calculus
    516 -- Geometry
    519.2 -- Probability
    519.5 -- Statistics
    530.8 -- Measurement

    Check the Education Indexes/Databases on the Library Home Page. For a detailed list of journal indexes, you can select "Journal Indexes By Subject", and select "Mathematics" or "Education."

    Search the Internet:

    The Curriculum Laboratory's Teacher's Sites lists many of the main Internet sites used by teachers, such as Alberta Education, LRC Resources Catalogues, and some comprehensive education sites containing educational issues and lesson plans, technology sites for teachers, etc.

    The Curriculum Laboratory's Great Sites for Educators contains useful links such as Digital Resource Subscriptions (Learn Alberta, United Streaming Digital Video clips, etc.), Digital Reference resources, Kid's Sites, Lesson Plans, and links for Specific School Subjects.

    Other Resources:

    Make use of Inter-library loan.

    Use the public library, or other libraries.

    Prepared by: Bill Glaister and Margaret Rodermond,  January, 2003.  Updated July 2009.