Why mathematics?
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Mathematics is a progressive subject, and “a lack of sufficient mathematical skill and understanding affects one’s ability to make critically important educational, life, and career decisions” (Sherman, Richardson, & Yard, 2005, p. 3).
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If students do not begin building and mastering basic skills in mathematics in their early childhood years, they may begin to fall behind. Falling behind early could lead to students struggling for many years to come, and in our modern-day technological and mathematically based society, teachers need to regularly enhance students’ abilities to think mathematically (Kilpatrick, Swafford, & Findell, 2001).
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“All young Americans must learn to think mathematically, and they must think mathematically to learn,” indicating that learning mathematics and thinking should go hand-in-hand (Kilpatrick, Swafford, & Findell, 2001, p. 16).
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References
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Kilpatrick, J., Swafford, J., & Findell, B. (Eds). (2001). Adding it up: Helping children learn mathematics. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press
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Sherman, H. J., Richardson, L. I., & Yard, G. J. (2005). Teaching children who struggle with mathematics: A systematic approach to analysis and correction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.