TMN3704/102/0/2023

Tutorial Letter 102/0/2023

Teaching Mathematics in the

Intermediate Phase TMN3704

Year module

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

ASSESSMENT 2

This tutorial letter contains Assessment 2 and related information.

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Dear Student,

1. HOW TO APPROACH THIS ASSESSMENT

This tutorial letter contains an exposition of the requirements for the assignments for
TMN3704. Before you start your assignments, make sure that you go through Tutorial Letter
101 for important information on teaching, learning, assessment and how to search for
information. When doing the assignments, also ensure that you understand what you have
been asked to do. Check the marks for your assignments and what percentage of the final
mark they constitute. This will help you decide how much time to spend on each.

Read the assignment questions or tasks slowly and carefully. As you do, ask yourself:

• What is the question about? What is the topic?

• What does the question mean?
• What do I have to do?

Avoid tedious explanations, repetition and unnecessary information. However, support your
descriptions/explanations with relevant sources, writing the information in your own words. I
want to hear your voice/opinion/views. An assignment must be provided with adequate
headings and sub-headings, which must be numbered clearly and in a consistent manner.
Formulate your own point of departure and provide reasoned arguments to support and qualify
it. You must also ensure that you take care of the technical quality of the document when
writing the assignment. This includes using the required referencing style (preferably APA 7th
edition or Harvard) and adding a list of references.

NB:
Citations – appear within the body of your essay.
References – appear at the end of your essay, in a special format.

Please note that Assessment file/written assignments/assignment answers mean one and the
same thing in the context of this module.

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To complete this module, you will be required to submit four compulsory assignments (read
more about this in Tutorial Letter 101). Table 1 provides additional information on
assignments.

TABLE 1: Information on Assignments

Assignment Unique Mark Weighting Due date Type of

number Numbers allocation questions and
the cognitive
level(s) of each
assignment
01 719032 25 10% 20230511 20:00 Multiple-choice
questions/QUIZ
Knowledge and
understanding
02 719453 100 20% 20230612 20:00 Short questions
Knowledge and
understanding
03 719868 60 30% 20230705 20:00 Multiple-choice
questions/QUIZ
Knowledge and
understanding

04 720198 100 40% 20230817 20:00 Short questions

Knowledge and
understanding

Questions for Assignments 01 and 03 have been uploaded on myUnisa. It is therefore

important for you to log on to myUnisa and answer the questions as per the given instructions.

MARKING GUIDES

The memoranda and rubrics serve as guides to mark your assignments.

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Very important information

• Ensure that you always check for new information under the tabs Additional
Resources and Announcements on myUnisa.

• Use the services of e-tutors to assist you in this journey.

MORE INSTRUCTIONS
• Your ASSESSMENT file must be submitted under the correct module code.
Assessment files that are submitted under incorrect module codes will not be marked.
Read the instructions carefully and save the file in the required format
(YourStudentNumber_ModuleCode, e.g 12345678_TMN3704.pdf).

• Remember to complete the Honour Pledge (declaration of academic honesty-see

the last page of this TUT Letter) for each assignment (02 and 04)and attach it to your
assignment file and submit as one PDF document.

• Make sure all your pages are converted into a single PDF document for
uploading. The file must be saved as a PDF document before it can be submitted. You
can only submit one assessment file. Please do not submit individual pages.

• Students must upload their assessment file in a single PDF file (your assessment file
must not be password protected or uploaded as “read-only” files).

• NO e-mailed assessment file will be accepted.

• Students are advised to preview submissions (assessment files) to ensure legibility and
upload the correct assessment file.

• Students suspected of dishonest conduct will be subjected to disciplinary processes.

UNISA has a zero-tolerance for plagiarism and/or any other forms of academic
dishonesty.

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• Once you have submitted, you will receive a confirmation message on the screen.
Make a screen copy for your records. This is your proof that your assessment file
was submitted. It is advisable to print this page or make a screen capture for record
purposes.

• There will be no additional supplementary opportunity (NO Formal Examination and NO

Supplementary Examination) once marks have been finalised. There will be four compulsory
formative assessments, each contributing a certain percentage towards the promotion mark.
Please note that all the assessments are compulsory. Make sure that you submit all the
assignments and do well because your final mark is calculated from these formative
assessments.

• Read TUT letter 101 thoroughly and with understanding.

GOOD LUCK AND STAY FOCUSED

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ASSIGNMENT 02: COMPULSORY

FOCUS: SHORT QUESTIONS ON TEACHING
AND LEARNING MATHEMATICS
CONTRIBUTES 20% TO YOUR YEAR MARK
UNIQUE NUMBER: 719453
DUE DATE: 2023 06 12 @ 20:00
NO EXTENSION WILL BE GRANTED

1.1 The National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12 gives expression to the knowledge,
skills and values worth learning in South African schools. This curriculum aims to
ensure that children acquire and apply knowledge and skills in ways that are
meaningful to their own lives. In this regard, the curriculum promotes knowledge in
local contexts, while being sensitive to global imperatives. What are your thoughts on
this view? (3)

1.2 One strategy that you could use to connect mathematical ideas is personification: A
figure of speech in which human qualities/attributes are given to inanimate (non-
human) objects or the representation of an abstract quality/idea in a human form. It is
advisable to use this strategy for grade 4 learners. Use Figure 1 to illustrate what
personification entails. Justify your arguments with two examples. (4)
Figure 1: Ndebele beadwork patterns

.
Source: https://s-media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/736x/01/03/b7/0103b72db5467d193e182bb4895edb8c.jpg

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1.3 Do Activity 1.4.1 from your Study Guide. Give a concise account (do not copy and
paste) of the main points of the principle of “Caring about the development of students’
mathematical proficiency”. (6)
1.4 "The teaching and learning of Mathematics aims to develop a critical awareness of
how mathematical relationships are used in social, environmental, cultural and
economic relations" (DBE 2011, p.8). Design an activity that could help learners
recognise that percentages can be applied across social situations (relating to
activities in real life) and fully explain how you would use it in teaching and learning.
(6)

1.5 In Grade 5, learners are expected to demonstrate knowledge and skills in adding and
subtracting two-digit numbers. The skill assessed in Table 1 was the ability to break
down numbers according to place value parts. Closely look at how Miranda and
Pauline solved the problems and answer the questions that follow.

Table 1: Subtraction of whole numbers

Pauline’s attempt Miranda’s attempt
= 83 − 37 4 687 – 2 143
= 80 − 30 − 3 − 7 = 4 000 + 600 + 80 + 7– 2 000 – 100 – 40 – 3
= 50 − 3 − 7 =
= 47 − 7 =
= 40 =
= 2 544

1.5.1 What is the common error that Pauline made? Explain fully and use the
correct mathematical language when interpreting your facts. (4)
1.5.2 Where do you think the main problem is (root cause)? Explain (2)
1.5.3 What is the possible remediation? Explain and illustrate. (4)
1.5.4 Complete the steps missed out by Miranda to make the solution true. (3)

1.6 What is the difference between relational understanding and instrumental

understanding? (4)

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1.7 Although relational understanding is often thought to be a better alternative to
instrumental understanding, when do you regard each type of understanding as
useful, particularly in Mathematics? Justify your argument with examples. (4)

1.8 Describe four advantages of using media in teaching mathematics. (4)

1.9 Identify two mathematical concepts that you can explore using the base ten blocks.
Explain how you could use these blocks to help learners learn the identified
concepts. Provide an example in each case to illustrate your answer. (6)

1.10 How would you use a teacher-centred media resource to explain the meaning of
(6 × 7) to a Grade 5 leaner? Use two different illustrations to show your understanding. (6)

1.11 According to Hiebert et al (1997), effective Mathematics teaching begins with the
learners’ understanding and knowledge of the topic. What is your comment on this
statement? (2)

1.12 What is your understanding of cognitive strategies? (2)

1.13 The general view is that there is no preferred method or approach to teaching and
learning mathematics. The important thing is to make sure that you as the teacher
differentiate your lesson/teaching based on ability and ensure that you provide
sufficient support to learners in your class. Briefly discuss the following
approaches to teaching mathematics and explain how each supports the effective
teaching of mathematics.
a) Learning pathways (4)
b) Problem-solving (4)
c) Brainstorming (4)
d) Cooperative learning (4)

1.14 What are the advantages of using media when teaching and learning mathematics?
(4)

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1.15 The use of multimedia and computing technologies for teaching and learning
mathematical concepts helps learners to learn with understanding. For example,
when introducing the concept of fractions, instead of first introducing abstract terms
such as numerator and denominator, you could use manipulatives, often referred to
as teaching and learning aids. How could you use the manipulatives to enhance
grade 4 learners’ understanding of the fraction concept? (6)

1.16 Complete Activity 2.18 from your Study Guide. (8)

1.17 The integrated curriculum mode, sometimes referred to as integrative teaching, is

both a method of teaching and a way of organising the teaching programme so that
many subject areas and skills provided in the curriculum can be linked to one
another. Provide an example of how you, as the teacher, could use the content in
Social Sciences as a vehicle for mathematical skills development. (6)
Total [100]

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STUDENT DECLARATION OF ACADEMIC HONESTY FORM

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

You need to include a completed and signed copy of this form when you submit all your assignments
for this module.
Assignments without the form will be cancelled and returned unmarked.

The Department of Mathematics Education places specific emphasis on integrity and ethical
behaviour with regard to the preparation of all written work submitted for academic assessment.

Although your lecturers can provide you with information about reference techniques and
guidelines to avoid plagiarism, you also have a responsibility to fulfil in this regard. Should you at
any time feel unsure about the requirements, you must consult your lecturers before you submit
any assignment.

You are guilty of plagiarism when you extract information from a book, article, web page or fellow
student without acknowledging the source and submitting it as your own work. In truth, you are
stealing someone else’s property. You may not use another student’s work. You may not allow
anyone to copy or use your work with the intention to submit it as his/her own.

Students who are guilty of plagiarism will forfeit all credit for the work concerned. Plagiarism is a
serious violation of the University’s regulations and may lead to expulsion.

The under-mentioned declaration must be attached to the assessment file (written assignments).
Your assignment will be cancelled and returned unmarked if you do not include a fully completed
and signed declaration form.

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TMN 3704 Assignment 2_2023

I (full names):

Student number: Module:

Declare that…

1. I understand what plagiarism entails and am aware of the University’s policy in this regard.

2. I declare that this assignment is my own original work. Where I used someone else’s work,
whether a printed source, the internet or any other source, I give the proper acknowledgement
and include a complete reference list.

3. I did not use another current or previous student’s work and submitted it as my own.

4. I did not allow and will not allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of submitting it as
his or her own work.

Signature Date:

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