Course - Mathematics 1 (1-7) Module 2 - MGLU2104
Mathematics 1 (1-7) Module 2
New from the academic year 2026/2027
About
About the course
Course content
This course examines central didactical perspectives and content matter in mathematics teaching for grades 1-7, with extra focus on early year mathematics. We will examine different aspects of numbers and computations, including the importance of place value. The development of basic number sense is central to success in this course. Furthermore, we will connect the knowledge of additive structures to various strategies in working with numbers and operations. We will also investigate relationships between numbers, and examine how generalizing properties of numbers can prepare an individual for algebraic thinking. Lastly, we will analyze geometric thinking and the understanding of geometric concepts.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
The candidate
- has in depth knowledge of the mathematical subjects that pupils study in primary school, in particular introductory mathematics.
- has knowledge of early algebra and geometry, and can relate this knowledge to teaching materials in primary school.
- has knowledge about the use of different teaching materials, both digital and analog, and the possibilities and limitations of these materials.
- has knowledge of what mathematics entails in kindergarten and in lower secondary school, and of the transitions from kindergarten to primary school, and primary school to lower secondary school.
- has knowledge of how basic skills help in the development of mathematical competence.
- has knowledge of the various research methods in mathematic didactics and ethics, related to research involving student learning.
Skills:
The candidate:
- can plan, carry out, and evaluate mathematics teaching for all pupils in grades 1-7 with a focus on early mathematics.
- can lay the groundwork for early efforts and can adapt the teaching to the pupils' unique needs.
- can evaluate how pupils achieve mathematical goals, give reasons for the evaluations, and give feedback that promotes learning.
- can use work methods that promote pupils' wonder, creativity, and ability to work systematically with problem solving activities, reasoning, and argumentation.
- can communicate with pupils; can listen to, evaluate, make use of pupils' input and stimulate pupils' mathematical thinking.
- can use relevant research methods in mathematic didactics in ethically justifiable ways.
General competence:
The candidate
- has insight into the significance mathematics has as a generally educative subject and its interplay with culture, philosophy, and social development.
- has insight into the significance mathematics has for development of critical democratic competence.
Learning methods and activities
During classes, varied working methods will be used: lectures, reviews of examples and tasks, workshops and learning station teaching, individual work on tasks, episodes, and cases from teacher practice, problem solving, presentations for other students, teaching in teacher practice. The subject will engage students in scientific work forms; inquiry-based learning processes will promote the students' independence, analytical skills, and critical reflection. Much of the class work will be process oriented, in which an inductive work method with high degree of student activity will be central. Students will work individually and in groups. During the course, students will undertake a certain number of tasks of varied character, and these tasks will produce both written documents and oral presentations. Lastly, students and instructors will supervise and respond to student-generated coursework.
Compulsory assignments
- Mandatory assignments according to the course description
Further on evaluation
Mandatory assignments
The following activities must be completed in order to take the exam:
- Compulsory participation in teaching, 75%
- Up to 5 submissions/work assignments
- The students can be assessed, required to take part in coursework and required to attend teaching related to interdisciplinary topics.
The assessment of these works will be graded either passed or not passed. The submissions/work assignments can be individual or in groups, in the form of preparatory work, follow-up work, participation in learning activities, written reports or submissions in multimedia form.
Assessment:
The assessment for this subject includes a locally given oral exam, and a nationally given individually written exam that lasts 4 hours (with 15 minutes extra to finalize). The extent of the national exam is equal to 5 credits.
Oral exam: Held on a locally given date in the end of the semester. The candidate will get 30 minutes of preparation time before the oral exam. During the preparation time, all written and printed aids are allowed. During the examination, the candidate can only bring notes written on official paper during the preparation time. The oral exam last up to 25 minutes.
Nationally given written exam: This exam will be held late in the semester, on a date given centrally. One needs to pass this national exam to get this subject approved. The exam will test these four learning outcomes applied to the mathematical subject algebraic thinking:
The candidate
- has in depth knowledge of the mathematical subjects that pupils meet in primary school, in particular introductory mathematics.
- has knowledge of early algebra and geometry, and can relate this knowledge to teaching materials in primary school.
- has knowledge of different representations, and the effects the use of representations can have on pupils' learning.
- can analyze and evaluate pupils' ways of thinking, argumentation, and problem-solving methods from different perspectives on knowledge and learning
Algebraic thinking is part of many different mathematical subjects that are considered in grades 1-7. This way of thinking entails the search for covariation, general structures, patterns and relations, how to describe these both using words and symbols, and reasoning. Here this occurs while working on numbers and computations, and situations from mathematics or "the real world" that deal with covariation between quantities. An important part or algebraic thinking is the use of words or symbols to describe conditions a quantity should satisfy, for example while working on equations and inequalities.
The exams:
- Part one: individual oral exam, graded A-F
- Part two: individual written exam, graded A-F
All parts can be retaken or improved separately. One needs to pass all the parts to pass the subject.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Primary and Lower Secondary Teacher Education for Years 1-7 (MGLU1-7) - some programmes
Recommended previous knowledge
Matematikk 1 (1-7) emne 1, 15 sp, or equivalent.
Course materials
The final reading list will be posted on Canvas before the beginning of the term.
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| MGLU2103 | 15 sp | Autumn 2026 |
| LGU12002 | 15 sp | Autumn 2026 |
| MGLU2102 | 15 sp | Autumn 2026 |
| MGLU1515 | 5 sp | Autumn 2026 |
| LGU12004 | 15 sp | Autumn 2026 |
Subject areas
- Didactics in Mathematics
- Teacher Education