Swedish Mellanstadiet (Grade 4) Mathematics

This entry details the Swedish Mellanstadiet mathematics curriculum for Grade 4, based on the 2011 curriculum document revised in 2018. The curriculum emphasizes developing mathematical knowledge for everyday use and other subjects, fostering interest in mathematics, and building confidence in applying mathematical skills. It encourages problem-solving, reflection, and evaluation of strategies. The curriculum also promotes familiarity with mathematical concepts, methods, and the use of digital tools and programming. Logical argumentation and communication using mathematical expressions are also key components.

Core Content for Grade 4

The core content for Grade 4 mathematics falls under the following areas:

Understanding and Use of Numbers:

• Rational numbers and their properties.
• Decimal number system.
• Binary number system and its application in digital technology, along with historical number systems (e.g., Babylonian).
• Fractions and decimals and their everyday use.
• Percentages and their relationship to fractions and decimals.
• Methods for calculating with natural numbers and decimals, including approximation, mental arithmetic, written methods, and digital tools. Application of these methods in diverse situations.
• Assessing the reasonableness of estimations and calculations in everyday situations.

Algebra:

• Unknown numbers, their properties, and representing them with symbols.
• Simple algebraic expressions and equations in relevant situations.
• Methods for solving simple equations.
• Constructing, describing, and expressing patterns in number sequences and geometric patterns.
• Creating and using algorithms in programming, particularly in visual programming environments.

Geometry:

• Basic geometric shapes (polygons, circles, spheres, cones, cylinders, pyramids, cuboids) and their relationships and properties.
• Constructing geometric shapes, with and without digital tools. Understanding and using scale in everyday situations.
• Symmetry in everyday life, art, and nature, and its construction.
• Methods for determining and estimating circumference and area of two-dimensional shapes.
• Comparing, estimating, and measuring length, area, volume, mass, time, and angles using common units. Exploring contemporary and older measurement methods.

Probability and Statistics:

• Probability, chance, and risk based on observations, simulations, or statistical data from everyday situations. Comparing probabilities in different random trials.
• Simple combinatorial analysis in concrete situations.
• Using tables and diagrams to describe investigation results, with and without digital tools. Interpreting data presented in tables and diagrams.
• Measures of central tendency (mean, mode, median) and their use in statistical investigations.

Relationships and Change:

• Proportionality and percentages and their interrelationship.
• Using graphs to represent proportional relationships in simple investigations.
• Coordinate systems and strategies for scaling axes.

Problem Solving:

• Strategies for mathematical problem-solving in everyday situations.
• Formulating mathematical questions based on everyday situations.

Grade E Knowledge Requirements (End of Grade 6)

By the end of Grade 6, students achieving a Grade E are expected to:

• Solve simple problems in familiar situations using strategies and methods adapted to the problem type. Describe their approach and demonstrate basic reasoning about the plausibility of results, suggesting alternative approaches.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of mathematical concepts by using them in familiar contexts. Describe concepts using mathematical expressions, switching between different forms of expression, and applying simple reasoning about their interrelationships.
• Choose and apply mathematical methods adapted to the context to perform simple calculations and solve routine tasks in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, probability, statistics, relationships, and change with satisfactory results.
• Explain and discuss their approaches using diagrams, symbols, tables, graphs, and other mathematical expressions adapted to the context. Apply mathematical reasoning by posing questions and presenting and responding to mathematical arguments.