Through the teaching of Mathematics, students are empowered to develop life skills, be problem-solvers, think analytically and apply logical reasoning to life experiences.
At St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, each class has five hours dedicated to the learning of Mathematics per week. These sessions focus on developing each student’s mathematical knowledge, understandings, skills and dispositions through explicit teaching and learning experiences derived from the Victorian Curriculum. The strands covered in accordance with the curriculum are, Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability.
We have identified the essential learning that students need to achieve proficiency in within each of these areas, and subsequently design learning cycles that respond to the needs of students based on assessment data.
We believe that our Mathematics curriculum is purposeful, current, relevant, needs based and rigorous. We aim to develop the mathematical abilities that students need to be numerically successful in their personal, work and civic life.
There are many real life contexts and problem solving opportunities provided for students across all levels. Students are encouraged to apply their mathematical learning, employ strategies, make informed decisions and solve problems efficiently.
Common Formative Assessments (CFATs) are designed collaboratively and inform teachers of a student’s knowledge and skill. This data is used to plan the learning cycle to best meet the needs of the students, individually, and across the cohort.
Ongoing collection of summative and formative data ensures that we continue to meet the needs of the students, identify trends that will impact teaching strategies and professional learning, and monitor the growth of students F-6.
Integral to mathematics planning and implementation of learning cycles is the recognition of the need to have flexible groupings in response to data collected. Additional time and support will be provided for students as needed, as part of a multi-layered approach to intervention, as well as enrichment and application experiences being provided to extend students, in order to achieve positive learning outcomes.
Teachers at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School aim to use the following structure for mathematics lessons to ensure optimal learning opportunities for students:
- Mathematics Warm Up Activity (whole class)
- Main Teaching Focus (whole class)
- Small groups and individuals
- Share Time/Reflection