In mathematics there are many skills and interactions that make mathematics what it is. Leaning most of these skills and interactions helps build foundations that that make them confident as well as meeting the expectations of the teaching and learning process. Some of the activities involved in the teaching of and learning mathematics are measuring, comparing, shapes and symbols as well as figuring out numbers. Learning roman numerals falls in the category of figuring out numbers and it is one area of study that is currently eliciting different opinions and perspectives about its importance (Adler 2010). Roman numerals are numerals that originated from ancient Rome. The numerals use a combination of letters derived from the Latin alphabet and it represents different values. The Roman numerals were fully developed by the Romans when they were extending their empire and had a huge territory. Today, it is argued that children in primary schools need to learn numerals because of several reasons some of which will be discussed in this essay.
Romans numerals form the basic components of some subjects that students in primary schools are going to meet later on in their academic ladder. For instance, in normal learning, students are normally given assignments to do and are expected to write outlines. They use roman numerals in numbering. Also, in literature, roman numerals are used in writing book volumes, acts and scenes which are important especially in Shakespearean literature. Also, in chemsitry the names of chemical components are co- notated by the use of Roman numerals (Zumdahl & DeCoste 2010). Roman numerals learned in primary school are also used in chemical formulas and even the naming of ions. It is some of these simple uses of numerals that make chemistry look very hard if the students do not have prior knowledge of how they are used and their meanings or the numbers they represent. Some may think that learning these numerals is a waste of time, but the truth is that they are used in higher levels of learning, and the early a learner knows them the better. When used in chemistry in naming chemical formulas, they are used for purposes of clarity as well as to indicate the oxidation state of all metals. Roman numerals are, therefore, very important components in the learning and understanding of other subjects.
Roman numerals might be viewed as an odd subject to learn but its benefits to learners is far important that many people perceive it. Roman numerals always find themselves in the lives of many people even without them knowing. For instance, the watches that people wear have roman numerals on them for numbering purposes. Children in primary school will never learn how to read these numbers on their watches unless they are taught how they are read. If this task is left to their parents or caregivers, it goes without saying that not all parents or caregivers will do it as expected. If only the school curriculum could schedule in lessons when roman numerals are taught, then watches will be of no use to future generations, especially those that have Roman numeral numbering on them (Adler 20110). The early the children are taught on some of these simple basics skills of tracking their time, the better for society and the children themselves.
Roman numerals form the basics of going about some careers. Before a child grows up, most of them are not sure about the kind of professions they would wish to pursue when they grow up. Children in primary school keep changing their future career selections every fortnight and so, it is imperative to expose them to an array of knowledge which will serve them well in their future (Freitag 2013). For instance, most people assume that lawyers are more theoretical in their practice than mathematical. But the truth is that they also need Roman numerals knowledge because they use them. Many literature books that lawyers use are numbered in numerals. Their literature is full of sections and sections and, that is the point when knowledge of Roman numeral numbers comes in handy. It is not only in this profession that these children will need this knowledge but many other professions. At the beginning of books just before the chapters or sections, one will always find pages numbered in numerals. If a child is not able to read them properly then this can hinder their learning.
References
Adler, D. A. (2010). Fun with Roman Numerals. New York: Holiday House.
Freitag, M. (2013).Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers: A Process approach. Belmont: Cengage Learning
Sternberg, R. (2011). Cognitive Psychology. Belmont: Cengage Learning
Zumdahl, S. & DeCoste, D. J. (2010). Introductory Chemistry: A Foundation. Belmont: Cengage Learning.
