Sierra Leone Primary 4 Curriculum - Mathematics

This outlines the Sierra Leone Primary 4 Mathematics curriculum based on available lesson plans. The curriculum is structured around several key themes, including measurement and estimation, everyday arithmetic (incorporating financial literacy), statistics and probability, geometry, and numbers and numeration.

Measurement and Estimation Time

• Telling Time: Pupils learn to tell time to the nearest minute on analogue and digital clocks, convert between 12-hour and 24-hour formats, estimate and measure the duration of events, and solve word problems involving time (excluding conversions). They learn about the different parts of the clock, the movement of the hands, and how to express time using appropriate language. They also practice estimating the duration of a minute and comparing their estimations to actual time.
• Multiplication and Division by 10: Pupils explore multiplication and division of whole numbers (up to 5 digits) and decimals (to 1 decimal place) by 10. They learn mental strategies for these operations and understand the concept of place value changes during multiplication and division. They also apply these skills to solve word problems involving money.
• Order of Operations and Money: Pupils learn the correct order of operations (multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction) and apply it to solve word problems involving money. They practice solving multi-step word problems, applying the order of operations to ensure accurate calculations.
• Estimation and Reasonableness: Pupils develop estimation strategies to check the reasonableness of their answers. They learn to round numbers to the nearest 10 or 100 and use these rounded values to estimate the results of addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems. They also learn to use inverse operations (addition to check subtraction) to verify their calculations.

Everyday Arithmetic - Fractions

• Equivalent Fractions: Pupils learn to calculate, identify, and compare equivalent fractions with denominators up to 12. They explore different methods for finding equivalent fractions, including multiplying by fractions equal to 1 and using visual representations (rectangles).
• Addition and Subtraction of Fractions: Pupils practice adding and subtracting equivalent fractions with denominators up to 12. They review the steps for adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators, emphasizing the importance of finding a common denominator. They also apply these skills to solve word problems involving fractions.
• Multiplication of Fractions: Pupils explore multiplication of equivalent and related fractions with denominators up to 12. They use visual models (biscuits or cakes) and repeated addition to understand the concept of fraction multiplication. They also learn to multiply proper fractions by whole numbers and compare the results to 1, understanding when the answer is greater than, less than, or equal to 1. They apply these skills to solve word problems involving sharing and recipes.

Statistics and Probability - Data Handling

• Data Collection and Reports: Pupils learn to devise a plan for data collection, conduct a small pilot study, and write a statistical report. They practice formulating survey questions, collecting continuous data, organizing data in tables and histograms, and interpreting the results. They also learn to calculate and interpret the median.
• Word Problems with Statistics: Pupils learn to solve two-step word problems involving statistics, using bar graphs to extract and interpret information.

Geometry - Volume and Capacity

• Volume and Capacity: Pupils learn to identify and differentiate between volume (the amount of space an object occupies) and capacity (the amount of liquid a container can hold). They compare and contrast objects based on their volume and capacity.
• Estimating Volume and Capacity: Pupils develop skills in estimating volume and capacity using standard units (milliliters and liters). They practice estimating the number of cups that can be poured from a bottle and use this information to solve word problems involving party planning and serving sizes.
• Calculating Volume and Capacity: Pupils learn to calculate volume using standard measures (cubic centimeters and cubic feet) and capacity using standard measures (milliliters). They apply formulas to calculate volume and use addition and multiplication to solve word problems involving volume and capacity.
• Lines and Angles: Pupils learn to identify, draw, and compare horizontal, vertical, perpendicular, and parallel lines. They also learn to identify and draw different types of angles (right, acute, and obtuse) and find examples of these angles in everyday objects.

Numbers and Numeration - Fractions

• Like and Related Fractions: Pupils learn to identify, read, write, and model like fractions (fractions with the same denominator) and related fractions (fractions with denominators that are multiples of each other). They compare and order like and related fractions with denominators up to 12, using visual models (rectangles) and number lines.
• Equivalent Fractions: Pupils learn to identify and compare equivalent fractions with denominators up to 12. They use visual models and multiplication by fractions equal to 1 to find equivalent fractions.
• Comparing Fractions: Pupils learn to compare and order equivalent, like, and related fractions. They use visual models and the concept of numerator and denominator to determine which fraction is larger or smaller. They also learn to compare fractions greater than one.
• Whole Numbers up to 100,000: Pupils learn to count, read, write, compare, order, and round whole numbers up to 100,000. They use place value charts and number lines to understand the magnitude of these numbers and practice adding and subtracting numbers up to 100,000, including money.
• Fractions and Decimals: Pupils learn to work with fractions with denominators of 10, represent them on number lines, and write them as decimals. They also learn to write decimals with one decimal place as fractions and order fractions and decimals. They practice adding and subtracting decimals with one decimal place and solve word problems involving these operations.