Comparison and Analysis of Mathematics Curriculums for lower graders

한국과 미국의 초등학교 저학년 수학 교과서 및 교육과정의 비교와 분석

We have compared Korean and American mathematics curriculums in 5 areas: whole number(concepts and its operations); geometry; pattern and relations; measurements; statistics and probability. We have found significant differences in geometry area. Korean curriculums contain simple planar figures (circles, triangles, rectangles, and squres) and some of the spatial figures until 3rd grades. But in America they learn various planar and spatial fugures(cone, pyramid, triangular prism, etc) since the 1st grade starts. They also start the 1st grade by dealing with topological concepts like open/closed, inside/outside, order, etc. As the grade goes on, students learn other geometrical concepts like congruence, symmetry, 3-dimensional views. We also found that American curriculum focuses on students' activities and courages communication through projects, groupwork, journal writing, etc. It's also superior in respects of motivation, and connections with real life and other subjects. Korean curriculum needs more improvements in these aspects. Furthermore for lower graders reviewing sections need to be enhanced for feedback.