Mathematics
The Numeracy program at Strathfieldsaye Primary School aims to develop students to become numerate and effectively use mathematics so they can successfully participate at school, home and in the wider community. Teachers strive to make Mathematics a fun, positive and purposeful experience. We have established Essential Learnings (see below) at each level to ensure strong foundation in mathematical skills, strategies and understandings.
Our Mathematics Program includes:
- Warm ups to engage students and promote mathematical thinking.
- Clear learning intentions and criteria for success.
- Explicit teaching of skills and strategies including developing problem-solving skills.
- Hands on learning activities, usually based on real life experiences, designed to allow students to see a purpose for learning and make relevant connections to their everyday lives.
- Focus group sessions with the classroom teacher providing opportunities to support students and to extend them in their learning.
- Opportunities for students to share their solutions and mathematical strategies.
- Integration of ICT resources such as iPads and 1:1 Netbooks and access to programs such as Mathletics.
- Assessment of students’ skills and understandings and future learning both informally and formally including online assessment tools (Essential Assessment) that provides feedback for students.
- Students’ self-assessment and goal setting.
Essential Learnings for Mathematics
At Strathfieldsaye Primary School, we use and implement the Victorian Curriculum F-10. Based on this, in Mathematics, we have developed Essential Learnings for all year levels. These Essential Learnings account for what all students must be able to do in Maths as a minimum for each year level. We have kept the number of Essential Learnings between 8-10 per level. We commit to assessing students for these, not just to see if they have been taught, but that they have been learned and retained as well. We also teach the rest of the curriculum, however, our program reflects an emphasis on the Essential Learnings to ensure all students learn what we deem ‘essential’.
Essential Learning Maps have been created for each Essential Learning in Maths. This Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum provides teachers with information on where and how to extend and remediate teaching to support all students. Each map encompasses the learning objectives, essential vocabulary, and a learning continuum. These have been designed to be shared and discussed with students in order for them to set goals for their learning.
