Number and Operations
The primary goal for numbers and operations is developing number sense, or “intuition” about the meaning of numbers in relation to other numbers (Charlesworth, 2005; Campbell, 1999; Witzel, Ferguson, & Mink, 2012) For example, a child who knows that 4 represents 1 more than 3 (2 + 2, 3 + 1), and 1 less than 5 understands that numbers are more than a matter of simple counting (Campbell, 1999, p. 113). Number sense links to future success in mathematics much as phonological awareness (recognizing and using language sounds) relates to achievement in reading (Witzel, Ferguson, & Mink, 2012).