In the Victorian Curriculum, the Learning Area of Mathematics, has three strands that we teach:
All students from Prep to Grade Six participate in daily mathematics lessons. We have specific programs at Burwood Heights that enhance the learning of Mathematics in our students.
Hands On Activities
Our Maths lessons are planned and designed to have as many hands on activities as possible. Being hands-on is especially important in the classroom because it allows students to engage in kinesthetic learning. Studies have shown that kinesthetic learning, where a student carries out physical activities rather than listening to a lecture, is the most popular type of learning with students - 'doing' helps them to gain a better understanding of the material. It allows students to experiment with trial and error, learn from their mistakes, and understand the potential gaps between theory and practice. And most important, it provides educators with a unique opportunity to enrich the minds of their students in new and engaging ways.
Matific
Matific is a captivating online learning platform providing students with all the tools they need to be successful learners, both in the classroom and beyond. Matific focuses on improving core skills, problem solving and critical thinking through discovery. Students are able to access their Matific account at school and at home and learn at their own pace. Game based activities and problem solving tasks are aligned to the curriculum and all results are instantly accessible. Matific supports and caters to each teacher’s unique blend of student-driven learning and teacher-led instruction. https://www.matific.com/au/en-au/home/
SOLO Maths
The Middle and Senior School use the SOLO model to explore Measurement & Geometry and Statistics and Probability concepts. SOLO (structure of learning outcomes) Taxonomy is a model for learning. It describes five levels of learning outcomes, beginning with the pre-structural or ‘no idea’ and moving through levels representing one idea, many ideas and related ideas, to the extended abstract level of ‘extended ideas’.
SOLO is a student-directed model, where students think about and decide what level of understanding they have about a particular topic. “Learning to learn’ requires the learner to think about the strengths and weaknesses of their own thinking when they are learning and to make thoughtful decisions on what to do next. Students use the SOLO framework to answer: What am I learning? How is it going? What do I do next?
Maths Projects/ Real Life Application
Most students would like to know why they have to study various mathematical concepts. Mathematics is of practical value in many professions. It is not just the mathematical knowledge itself but the thinking processes acquired in problem solving and investigation that can be applied to unfamiliar situations in other fields. Mathematical knowledge and processes are also useful outside the workplace in everyday life to be able to lead a meaningful and responsible life. Because of this, we aim to include a multitude of real-life projects in Maths. From organising a party to ‘purchasing’ a fashionable, but affordable outfit, to designing a theme park within a strict budget. Students begin to understand that Maths really is everywhere!
Mathematical Mindsets
Mathematical Mindsets provides practical strategies and activities to show all children, even those who are convinced that they are bad at maths, that they can enjoy and succeed in maths.
Mathematical Mindsets:
Scores of students hate and fear maths, so they end up leaving school without an understanding of basic mathematical concepts. Their evasion and departure hinders math-related pathways and STEM career opportunities. Research has shown very clear methods to change this phenomena, but the information has been confined to research journals—until now. Mathematical Mindsets provides a proven, practical roadmap to mathematics success for any student at any age. (https://www.youcubed.org)
We have now implemented Mathematical Mindsets throughout all levels in the school.
Inquiry- United World Schools (Financial Literacy Focus)
This year, we have been very excited to be paired with UWS Gufa School in Nepal. Gufa village is in Eastern Nepal in the Sankuwasaba district in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is incredibly remote and, before UWS arrived, the community had no power and no access to any form of education.
Gufa is the largest village within a network of four hamlets. Unlike villages in England, the communities in Eastern Nepal have to be quite spread out to ensure that they have enough land to grow their own food. The people who live in Gufa are predominately Buddhist or Hindu, while Tamang is the community's local language.
As part of the Mathematics Curriculum, the Senior School will be researching UWS Gufa School and planning fundraisers to raise $1000US for the school. This Inquiry requires students to:
$1.50 educates a child for a week, $20 provides safe drinking water for an entire classroom and $110 stocks a school’s library. We are so excited to be a part of this program and for our students to make a difference in the world.
