We’re heading into the final window of 2023 and there are a lot of things that we’re still working on. We’ve been embedding problem solving strategies into our teaching practice this year and developing those skills in students to effectively work mathematically by reasoning, communicating and working through multi-step, connected problems.
Have a go at this one:
Directions: Make the largest (or smallest) expression by using the digits 0-9, no more than one time each, in the boxes below.
We’ve been using open middle problems (like the one above) by Robert Kaplinsky in classes and assessment and trying to develop deep understanding by drawing on best practices from Peter Liljedahl including using vertical spaces with randomly assigned groupings:
Finally, there will be some changes for 2024 with Maths faculty staff:
Mrs Chloe Loxley will be going on maternity leave following the upcoming birth of her second child and we’re thrilled for her family during this joyous occasion.
Mrs Jayne Hamilton, after 8 years of commuting from Newcastle, has accepted a transfer to Callaghan College, at the Waratah campus from this term and we wish her the very best.
Ms Linsey Springbett has been successful in gaining a leadership role for 2024 with the department of education. As an embedded instructional leader this role will be a great opportunity to work across the Mathematics faculty and feeder primary schools to develop high quality learning opportunities for our students.
Finally, this will be the last View article I write as I have been seconded as a Mathematics Growth Team Trainer from 2024. The Maths Growth Team was established and is still overseen by Eddie Woo and has achieved incredible results by leading targeted interventions that support teachers of mathematics to make well-researched, impactful practice the centre of quality teaching. I am very excited to join this exceptional team.
That means there are some new faces in new roles next year. Some of the outcomes are still unknown, but will be shared in the first article of 2024.
Christmas breaks are a great time to play cards! They form the basis of some foundational knowledge for probability and are great at developing deep reasoning skills. If you’ve got some time to kill, play some card games!
