Mathematics is foundational in many ways that informs our decisions in areas of our lives. Teaching and learning mathematics is at the heart of education. Learning mathematics aims to link school to everyday life, provide skill acquisition, prepare students for the workforce, and foster mathematical thinking (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2005). Mathematics involves learning to problem-solve, investigate, represent, and communicate mathematical concepts and ideas, and making connections to everyday life (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2005). However, there is a concern that Canadian students’ mathematical achievements are on the decline (EQAO, 2012). In 2012, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an international study examining 15-year-old students’ mathematical performance among 60 countries or economies, showed that math scores in Ontario have declined by 16 percentage points over the last nine years (EQAO, 2012).

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BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE -- Create a Supportive and Engaging Classroom Environment -- Provide Strong Mathematics Foundations in the Early Years -- Importance of Early Years’ Mathematics -- Create Appropriate Curriculum Standards -- Develop Knowledge of Children’s Developmental Process -- Implement Appropriate Classroom Activities -- Teach Mathematics in an Interdisciplinary Manner -- Maintain Positive Attitudes about Mathematics -- Be Knowledgeable about Mathematics -- Early Years Strategies and Programs from Other Jurisdictions -- Australia -- Prince Edward Island û Canada -- United Kingdom -- EFFECTIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR ALL GRADES -- Teach for Conceptual Understanding -- Teach Reasoning Skills -- Promote Problem-solving -- Creativity in Mathematics -- Encourage and Support Collaboration in Mathematics -- Provide an Inquiry Environment -- Use Three-Part Mathematics Lesson Plans -- Teaching and Learning with Technology -- Develop Mental Mathematics Skills -- Have High Expectations -- Assign Meaningful Homework -- Make Mathematics Fun -- Building Positive Attitudes in Mathematics -- Reduce Mathematics Anxiety -- Provide Varied and Ongoing Assessment -- Give Meaning to Mathematics through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics -- Support Conceptual Thinking -- Use Manipulatives with Minimal Visual Distractions -- How to Implement Successful System Wide Interventions -- SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS -- REFERENCES.