The Five Strands of Mathematics Proficiency
Complementary Mathematics / The Five Strands of Mathematics Proficiency
The Five Strands of Mathematics Proficiency
As defined by the National Research Council
(1) Conceptual Understanding (Understanding): Comprehending mathematical concepts, operations, and relations – knowing what mathematical symbols, diagrams, and procedures mean.
(2) Procedural Fluency (Computing): Carrying out mathematical procedures, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately.
(3) Strategic Competence (Applying): Being able to formulate problems mathematically and to devise strategies for solving them using concepts and procedures appropriately.
(4)Adaptive Reasoning (Reasoning): Using logic to explain and justify a solution to a problem or to extend from something known to something not yet known.
(5)Productive Disposition (Engaging): Seeing mathematics as sensible, useful, and doable – if you work at it – and being willing to do the work.
National Research Council. (2002). Helping Children Learn Mathematics. Mathematics Learning Study Committee, J Kilpatrick and J. Swafford, Editors. Center for Education, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
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“The most important feature of mathematical proficiency is that these five strands are interwoven and interdependent.”(page 9, Helping ChildrenLearn Mathematics, NRC, 2002)