Mathematics at Spearwood Primary School

Mathematics is an integral part of everyday life.  A fundamental purpose of primary education is to ensure students acquire competence in mathematics.  Students learn mathematics to interpret and communicate their findings and ideas accurately and to recognise the importance of mathematics in our changing society.

Through explicitly teaching mathematics skills and processes our students will:

• Become confident, creative users and communicators of mathematics, able to investigate, represent and interpret situations outside of the classroom context and as active citizens.
• Develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of mathematical concepts and fluency with processes and are able to pose and solve problems and reason in Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability.
• Recognise connections between the areas of mathematics and other disciplines and appreciate mathematics as an accessible and enjoyable discipline to study (Government of Western Australia: School Curriculum and Standards Authority).
• Use technology appropriately and effectively to support the learning of mathematics and in carrying out mathematical activities within a range of contexts.

 

At Spearwood Primary School, teachers deliver a balanced numeracy program providing students with opportunities to develop the knowledge and language needed for thorough understanding and application of mathematical concepts.  Teachers follow a consistent approach to the numeracy block, using the ‘Oxford Maths’ texts and program.

Oxford Maths (second edition) is a comprehensive and engaging mathematics program for Pre-primary to Year 6 that ensures every student can access the curriculum at their own point of need. It offers multiple pathways for students of varying ability and supports the ‘gradual release of responsibility’ approach, where initial scaffolding is gradually reduced to allow students to become confident and independent mathematicians.

Pre-primary to Year 6 students are also taught using Mathletics.  Mathletics is the world’s leading online maths program that builds confidence through personalised learning, exciting games, and mastery challenges. The P & C supports the school by paying for the program for every student. All Pre-primary to Year 6 students have a log-in for Mathletics and are encouraged to complete set tasks at school as well as at home.

 

In Kindergarten students learn through their environment, play and intentional teaching.  Children become confident and involved learners by engaging in and extending numeracy in personally and culturally meaningful ways. They are exploring and developing curiosity and knowledge of: number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and of statistics and probability.

Teachers use manipulatives, models and real-life examples plus other teaching and learning resources to supplement these programs.  This ensures that all aspects of the Western Australian Curriculum: Mathematics are addressed.

Numeracy blocks include revision of key concepts and basic facts, structured mental maths program and a problem-solving focus throughout concept development. This ensures the link is made between key mathematical concepts and its relevance to the real world.  Students are presented with a range of representations of the same concept, which include the use of concrete materials, representational and abstract ideas.  Delivery of new concepts is explicitly taught using the I Do, We Do, You Do model (Explicit instruction). Using a range of proven methods, teachers check for student understanding before extending them to the next level.  Students are also given the opportunity to individually show their understandings and explain their mathematical thinking through a variety of assessment tasks.