Math 10: Why is it so hard? (Pt 1)

Have you noticed that you or your child is finding Math 10 stressful this year?  You are not alone.  In this first semester, a majority of calls to Momentum Learning Centre have been about Math 10.  Let me give you some background to this new math program and some tips on what may help. First of all, you probably notice that this is a different math program than last year.  Most likely you received pamphlets from your child’s school last year or the year before outlining the new set of math programs.  In case you don’t recall this pamphlet (or perhaps it never made it home) this is a good place to start in understanding the changes.  The link to the pamphlet for parents and students is here.  You will notice that the structure of the new courses is similar to that of the old curriculum, just the course content that has been re-arranged (which we will discuss in more detail later).  There are now three basic streams for your child to choose: Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics, Foundations Math and Pre-Calculus.  Each course is designed to have the students career/job pathway in mind.  So, depending on what career areas your child is interested, they can now pick the appropriate math course.  Here is a quick run-down of the purpose for each course:

Apprenticeship and Workplace– gives students math skills they will use on-the-job.  These are the math skills that are most practical for trades and technical careers as well as those students who will be going straight into the workforce after graduation.

Foundations – teaches the skills for those students who will be going on into general post-secondary studies like social sciences or the arts.  This  course is also sometimes a pre-requisite for entry into some science programs, but please check with each individual university.

Pre-Calculus – This course is for students who plan on going into university and college in math based programs such as the biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, math, nursing.  As well, students who intend on taking calculus should take this stream.

You will notice in Grade 10 that there are only two courses to choose from: Foundations/Pre-Calculus and Apprenticeship and Workplace.  This allows your child to think about their career path in grade 10 a little more before choosing their math pathway.