to partner schools in Germany.

General guiding lines and curricula for mathematics in Germany

Primary school education in mathematics is continued in secondary modern school curricula. An education in mathematics is aimed at enabling the students to judge and react to situations in their lives either relevant to them at present or eventually in the future.

At the end of their school education the students should have a solid knowledge in the fundamentals of mathematics and be able to make use of them in a flexible way.

The students are expected to use aids such as calculators, computers, drawing instruments according to requirements of a given situation. In working with these aids the students should experience that mathematical education is more often than not a great help in meeting the needs of every day life.

Therefore it is intended to demonstrate the close connection between well-known every day problems and adequate mathematical theories. By doing this mathematical methods and strategies should be made transparent and fears of them reduced.

• The curriculum only enumerates subject matters and mathematical terms.
• The succession of the enumeration is not intended to define the chronological order of the subject matters.
• The curriculum describes a minimum of mathematical understanding and skills which are to be at the students' disposal by the end of form 10.
• How to organise teaching and learning is not recommended in this catalogue.
• However, some examples and suggestions are offered.
  

Forms 5 and 6 dealing with

1. numbers, dimensions, data
   • natural numbers, fractions, decimal fractions
   • decimal values system
   • length, time, money, weight
   • lists, tables, diagrams
   • basic rules of arithmetic’s, mental arithmetic’s
2. geometry
   • symmetry
   • elementary drawing skills
   • planes (and bodies)

Forms 7 and 8 dealing with

1. • numbers, invariations and sizes
   • whole numbers and rational numbers
   • assignments
   • variants, terms, linear equations and nonequations
2. • geometry
   • triangles and squares
   • bodies and prisms
   • stochastics

Form 9 and 10 dealing with

1. • powers and roots
   • powers and square roots
2. • functions and equations
   • linear and quadratic functions
   • linear equations systems and quadratic equations
   • exponential assignments
3. • geometry
   • Pytagoras' theorem
   • calculations with circles
   • similar forms and theorems of rays
   • trigonometry
4. • stochastics
   • describing stochastics
   • multi-phased chance experiments and simulations

The school year is divided into two terms. As a principle four weekly lessons in mathematics are given. Forms 5-8 write six tests per term (3/3); form 9 and 10 five (2/3 or 3/2 according to arrangements).