Mathematics

As we approach exam season for year 11 and 12 there is a lot of general advice for approaching exams to succeed. A recent article by Eddie Woo gives the best summary of steps students should consider. Including:

1. Just do it

2. Explain your answer to a friend

3. Find and attempt unfamiliar questions

4. Set yourself time pressure

5. Watch out for small mistakes

To support students, we have a before school seniors tutorial session each Wednesday in C101. We provide past exams and dedicate class time to support students to learn how to solve problems in timed conditions, how to interpret marking criteria and help students find the areas of improvement they individually need in the lead up to a major task. The most important exam tip is this: attempt everything.

We have been working as a faculty this year on developing the problem solving skills of all students. The seven strategies we’re supporting students to develop are:

1. Make a model or draw a picture

2. Find a pattern

3. Estimate: guess and check

4. Work in reverse

5. Solve a similar problem

6. Write and equation or use a formula

7. Try something relevant

Posters have been developed to support students in their learning and they are being provided with lots of practice in class on unscaffolded problems that challenge students to connect their thinking and understanding.

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