Integrated mathematics
Encyclopedia
Integrated mathematics is the term used in the United States to describe the style of mathematics education which integrates many topics or strands of mathematics throughout each year of secondary school. Each math course in secondary school covers topics in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and analysis. Nearly all countries throughout the world, except the United States, follow this type of curriculum.
In the United States, topics are usually integrated throughout elementary school up to the eighth grade. Beginning with high school level courses, topics are usually separated so that one year a student focuses entirely on algebra
, the next year entirely on geometry
, and then another year of algebra and later an optional fifth year of analysis
(calculus). The one exception in the American high school curriculum would be the fourth year of math, typically referred to as precalculus
, which usually integrates algebra, analysis, trigonometry, and geometry topics. Statistics may be integrated into all the courses or presented as a separate course.
New York State has used integrated curricula since the 1970s and this has been formalized in graduation requirements. Some other localities in the United States have also tried such integrated curricula. Georgia recently adopted such a curriculum, modeling their program after the Japanese curriculum. Under the new Common Core Standards
set to be adopted by most states in 2012, the only difference between a traditional American sequence and an integrated sequence is the order in which the topics are taught. Supporters of using integrated curricula in the United States believe that students will be able to see the connections between algebra and geometry better in an integrated curriculum, but the Common Core Standards allow either type of curriculum.
In the United States, topics are usually integrated throughout elementary school up to the eighth grade. Beginning with high school level courses, topics are usually separated so that one year a student focuses entirely on algebra
Algebra
Algebra is the branch of mathematics concerning the study of the rules of operations and relations, and the constructions and concepts arising from them, including terms, polynomials, equations and algebraic structures...
, the next year entirely on geometry
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
, and then another year of algebra and later an optional fifth year of analysis
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical analysis, which mathematicians refer to simply as analysis, has its beginnings in the rigorous formulation of infinitesimal calculus. It is a branch of pure mathematics that includes the theories of differentiation, integration and measure, limits, infinite series, and analytic functions...
(calculus). The one exception in the American high school curriculum would be the fourth year of math, typically referred to as precalculus
Precalculus
In American mathematics education, precalculus , an advanced form of secondary school algebra, is a foundational mathematical discipline. It is also called Introduction to Analysis. In many schools, precalculus is actually two separate courses: Algebra and Trigonometry...
, which usually integrates algebra, analysis, trigonometry, and geometry topics. Statistics may be integrated into all the courses or presented as a separate course.
New York State has used integrated curricula since the 1970s and this has been formalized in graduation requirements. Some other localities in the United States have also tried such integrated curricula. Georgia recently adopted such a curriculum, modeling their program after the Japanese curriculum. Under the new Common Core Standards
Common core state standards initiative
The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a U.S. education initiative that seeks to bring diverse state curricula into alignment with each other by following the principles of standards-based education reform. The initiative is sponsored by the National Governors Association and the Council...
set to be adopted by most states in 2012, the only difference between a traditional American sequence and an integrated sequence is the order in which the topics are taught. Supporters of using integrated curricula in the United States believe that students will be able to see the connections between algebra and geometry better in an integrated curriculum, but the Common Core Standards allow either type of curriculum.