Standards for Promoting Mathematical Communication in Elementary Classrooms

The purpose of this study is to set appropriate targets for school-year levels and types of mathematical communication. First, I classify mathematical communication into four types as Discourse, Representation, Operation and Complex and refer to them collectively as the 'D.R.O.C pattern'. I have listed achievement factors based on the D.R.O.C pattern hearing opinions from specialists to set a target, then set a final target after a 2nd survey with specialists and teachers. I have set targets for mathematical communication in elementary schools suitable to its status and students' levels in our country. In NCTM(2000), standards of communication were presented only from kindergarten to 12th grade students, and, for four separate grade bands(prekindergarten through grade 2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12), they presented characteristics of the same age group through analysis of classes where communication was active and the stated roles of teachers were suitable to the characteristics of each school year. In this study, in order to make the findings accessible to teachers in the field, I have classified types into Discourse, Representation, Operation and Complex (D.R.O.C Pattern) according to method of delivery, and presented achievement factors in detail for low, middle and high grades within each type. Though it may be premature to set firm targets and achievement factors for each school year group, we hope to raise the possibility of applying them in the field by presenting targets and achievement factors in detail for mathematical communication.