Sunday 29 November 2015

Extending students...

As discussed last week, competitions such as the Maths Talent Quest can be a fantastic way to extend students and allow them to explore their passion from a mathematical perspective.
But how are these entries assessed???
 
Maths Talent Quest entries are judged using a rubric.
 
The rubric outlines the criteria used across four areas:
  • Communication
  • Understanding
  • Ideas & Resources
  • Presentation
Even if you are not able to enter a MTQ competition - the rubric is a great place to start if you are considering evaluation of a maths investigation.
 
There are many other resources available through the Mathematical Association of Victoria and the Maths Talent Quest websites.
 
Best wishes with any maths investigation projects you are undertaking!
 

Sunday 22 November 2015

Extending our students...

When considering how to extend students in Mathematics, there are many factors that can influence the options we present. One option worth considering is the Maths Talent Quest (MTQ) offered by the Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV) each year.
 
As stated in the MTQ information booklet...

The focus of the Maths Talent Quest is on the process of mathematical investigations. Looking at real life situations and finding that mathematics is everywhere helps capture the imagination of both teachers and students alike. The Maths Talent Quest allows students to investigate mathematics on an individual, group or class basis with the opportunity to have fun exploring mathematics in real life situations.
 
A mathematics investigation allows students to examine a situation originating in mathematics or the real world which lends itself to inquiry. It involves a series of steps:
  • getting to know the situation and formulating questions
  • exploring systematically
  • making and testing conjectures
  • explaining or justifying results
  • extending the situation by formulating further questions
  • summarising the findings
 Even if entering a competition is not for you, imagine what students may come up with when inspired to follow their own passion and explore the maths associated with their interests!
 
Next week we will share the MTQ judging rubric - a chance to look at the assessment tool used by  MTQ judges.
 
If you have any great ideas for extending students...
please don't hesitate to let us know!
 

Wednesday 11 November 2015

Numbers 1-5 Bundled


We have bundled these packs together for you. 
Scroll below the images to read what is included in the bundle. 






Number Sense Bundle – 1 to 5
93 pages in total

Number Sense – All about 1
17 pages
Poster showing one in many ways – tally, sequence, clock, ten frame, domino, hand, dice 
Add one apple to the tree
Add one nose to the face
Small folded book about one
Cut and add group of one
Colour and practise handwriting 
Circle groups of one
Find all the 1s
Add the groups of 1 dinosaurs 
Booklet for 1 – copy, staple on the marks and cut in half to make two books

Number Sense – All about 2
19 pages
Poster showing two in many ways – tally, sequence, clock, ten frame, domino, hand, dice 
Add two eggs to the nest
Add two eggs to the toast 
Small folded book about two
Cut and add groups of two
Colour and practise handwriting 
Circle groups of two
Find all the 2s
Add the groups of 2 fish
Missing letters
Make each group have two objects
Booklet for 2 – copy, staple on the marks and cut in half to make two books

Number Sense – All about 3
19 pages
Poster showing three in many ways – tally, sequence, clock, ten frame, domino, hand, dice 
Add three presents to the sack
Add three koalas to the tree
Small folded book about three
Cut and add groups of three
Colour and practise handwriting 
Circle groups of three
Find all the 3s
Add the cockatoos to the tree 
Missing letters
Make each group have three objects
Booklet for 3 – copy, staple on the marks and cut in half to make two books


Number Sense – All about 4
19 pages
Poster showing four in many ways – tally, sequence, clock, ten frame, domino, hand, dice 
Add four bees to the bear
Add bees on the hive
Small folded book about four
Cut and add groups of four
Colour and practise handwriting 
Circle groups of four
Find all the 4s
Add the four flowers to the tree
Missing letters
Make each group have four objects
Booklet for 4 – copy, staple on the marks and cut in half to make two books


Number Sense – All about 5
19 pages
Poster showing five in many ways – tally, sequence, clock, ten frame, domino, hand, dice 
Add people to the boat
Add cubs for the mother
Small folded book about five
Cut and add groups of five
Colour and practise handwriting 
Circle groups of five
Find all the 5s
Add the frogs to the lily pad
Missing letters
Make each group have five objects
Booklet for 5 – copy, staple on the marks and cut in half to make two books

Saturday 7 November 2015

Using counters

I have been spending way too much time on pinterest lately. 

I am always looking for ways to use counters and these are adding to how we use them in our lessons. 

Click these images for more details about where they came from.

Math Center Organization- This looks so much better than a bunch of baggies.:

Magnetic Pom-poms, great for fine motor skills, use for do-a-dots, etc.:

you can do so much with an ice tray - patterns, more than less than, sorting, etc etc!:


Thursday 5 November 2015

All About 5


All about 5 helps to build number sense. 

Contents and instructions
19 pages
Poster showing five in many ways – tally, sequence, clock, ten frame, domino, hand, dice
Add people to the boat
Add cubs for the mother
Small folded book about five
Cut and add groups of five
Colour and practise handwriting
Circle groups of five
Find all the 5s
Add the frogs to the lily pad
Missing letters
Make each group have five objects
Booklet for 5 – copy, staple on the marks and cut in half to make two books



Sunday 1 November 2015

Hands on materials

Never underestimate the need to get out the counters and counters of all types. 

These photos are of kids sequencing cards 0-10 and then making collection to match. Then a buddy checks and gives feedback. 

Even with older kids they need to get the manipulatives out. 
Every classroom should have a store of must haves.