The categories of knowledge and skills are described as follows:
Knowledge and Understanding. Subject-specific content acquired in each grade (knowledge), and
the comprehension of its meaning and significance (understanding).
Thinking.The use of critical and creative thinking skills and/or processes,3 as follows:
– planning skills (e.g., understanding the problem, making a plan for solving the problem)
– processing skills (e.g., carrying out a plan, looking back at the solution)
– critical/creative thinking processes (e.g., inquiry, problem solving)
Communication.The conveying of meaning through various oral, written, and visual forms
(e.g., providing explanations of reasoning or justification of results orally or in writing; communicating
mathematical ideas and solutions in writing, using numbers and algebraic symbols,
and visually, using pictures, diagrams, charts, tables, graphs, and concrete materials).
Application.The use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and between various
contexts.
Teachers will ensure that student work is assessed and/or evaluated in a balanced manner with
respect to the four categories, and that achievement of particular expectations is considered
within the appropriate categories.