Parent info meeting

Thanks to all the parents who were able to attend our parent information session last week. As a courtesy to parents who were unable to attend the session, we will be uploading a text version of what we spoke about on the night. Please watch for additions to the blog.

Mathematics in 5/6:

Numeracy is a whole school focus for 2012 and is central to all learning.

‘Numeracy is an individual’s capacity to identify and understand the role that mathematics plays in the world, to make well-founded judgements and to use and engage with mathematics in ways that meet the needs of that individual’s life as a constructive, concerned and reflective citizen.’ (OECD 2004)

‘To be truly numerate, involves more than the acquisition of mathematical routines and algorithms, no matter how well they are learned. Students need to learn mathematics in ways that enable them to recognise when mathematics might help to interpret information or solve practical problems, apply their knowledge appropriately in contexts where they will have to use mathematical reasoning processes and choose mathematics that makes sense in the circumstances.’  (National Numeracy Review, 2008)

We work within the meaningful context of inquiry wherever possible. Alongside this is a diagnosis and intervention program delivered through targeted sessions which are differentiated depending on need.  These targeted sessions combine the balance of deep understanding and the development of efficient methods.

Running alongside this targeted approach is a maths investigation which supports our inquiry.

One example of this was our inquiry into identity where students were asked to get into groups of 4-5 and calculate their “average group member” based on a number of open-ended criteria. (For example hair colour, length of arm, hand-span). The students then created life-size images of their average group member which helped us come to a better understanding of a shared identity.

Another example of embedded mathematics stemmed from a targeted session on ratio. As a result of some thorough maths investigation, a group of students found some misleading advertising in a Woolworths brochure. We decided action needed to be taken and sent a letter to the ACCC, Woolworths and Yakult, asking for an explanation. Sadly, we did not receive a reply from Woolworths, but the ACCC and Yakult did reply in writing. 

Yakult offered a group of students the opportunity of a tour of their factory (at no charge), which related strongly to our unit on technology and mass production.