National Mathematics Conference

I was lucky to be able to go to the 1st National Conference for School Leaders in Primary Mathematics Education in Melbourne last Friday.

We took a team and were able to hear motivating speakers and their take on leadership.

Matt Sexton was the Keynote speaker and he went into detail about why it is important to have good maths leadership in schools. We need to move from management to leadership and focus on planning, key ideas, transforming our culture, shift attitudes, use data, positive professional learning and mentor staff as needed. 

 Doug Clarke (one of my heroes in terms of maths) spoke and took a session. 

We were reminded of our moral purpose and the duality of education in making social links to curriculum. 

Ann Downton provided strategies to take back to school to help in developing an overall mathematics plan.  We delved into school context, planning, differentiation and collaboration. 

Sessions included the missing content and pedagogical knowledge. 

Colleen Monaghan lead us through teaching difficult concepts and how to support staff. 

A great professional learning opportunity. 

Games by Pinterest

Here is our Sunday Night Game idea for this week.

This week I have indulged in my love of Pinterest. 

Enjoy the three links below to games/ideas. Click on the image to see the original pin.

Maths Inquiry

Over the last few months, the 5/6 team have been experimenting with Maths Inquiry, linked to Interactive Note Books. 

This week we started an Economics Unit that focuses on budgets, conversion rates for different currencies and managing operations with money. 

So the task is open ended and is colour coded depending on ability and point of need, but allows all to focus and challenge themselves depending on skill and knowledge. 

As a team - we decide the focus and what skill is needed. 

We have developed a 'Running Course',  'Time' and "Statistics and Probability' unit that have been very successful. 

Our high flyers are working independently, those that need support are in focus teaching groups and have exposure to mini lessons. 

This unit is about having $5000 and going on a holiday (Fiona has led this unit) - searching for flights, accommodation, food, currency conversions and so much more. Our kids do not want to pack up - we did two hours of math today!

There are research skills involved and this is where our 1:1 netbook leasing program has been fantastic. 

 Some students are keeping track digitally, others are using their notebook and some notebooks are organised differently to what we are used to. 

 Our next focus is to be the Commonwealth Games.

Guess My Number - Sunday Night Game

For all our Australian readers - welcome back to school. 

I think we are all back now across our country and have all begun our third term. 

For our American readers - you still have some time left for summer break. 

So here is our Sunday Night Game idea for this week.

This is a very old but very good game called

"Guess My Number"

It is fabulous for assessing place value.

You can model this for your whole grade and once they understand how to play they can play in small groups, partners or whole grade without you being the moderator.

It can be differentiated by using numbers between 0-5 or 0-1000000 or as high as you like. 

You can use it for fractions, for decimals, percentages, measurement such as time, length or absolutely anything. 

Decide what will be your number and to begun with - write it on a sticky note to show you haven't changed your mind!

I find that when introducing this for the fist time if I use a 120 chart and flip the numbers over that are not relevant they pick up how to do this much quicker.

Children ask is the number bigger than 79? If the answer is no then flip the numbers you don't need. 

This way there is a visual as to numbers needed.

Is the number smaller than 21? No

Keep answering questions until the students have worked out the number.

They can even ask questions like - is it an odd number? does it have a 3 in the tens place?

Brainstorm and model questions to ask, so that when they do this in groups they are aware of what/how they can ask questions.

Once they master the between - smaller - larger language, move away from the 120 chart and use a number line.

This magnetic frames are excellent for narrowing down numbers

Then start recording numbers on the board without the prompts  - good luck and let us know how the start of your term goes. 

For our American readers enjoy the remainder of your summer break.

Welcome back to Term 3!

To our Victorian followers - we hope you have had a fantastic start to the term and have settled back into your school routines!

 

This term we will endeavour to post a broad range of topics. We will share resources we have created, along with a range of Maths tips & tricks.

 

Games are often a fantastic way to consolidate learning - students are easily engaged and are able to practice the skills you have taught.

Many games involve the use of dice - this can be noisy and these small objects can 'accidently' end up in all sorts of locations around your classroom!

 

Our tip today...

invest in a roll of woven rubber matting (often used in kitched drawers) and cut it into squares/rectangles etc approximately the size of an A4 sheet of paper.

When using dice - lay these mats on the table and all dice rolls must be done on these.

If the dice rolls off of the mat - they miss a turn.

You will be amazed at how much noise this cuts down! It also ensures the game is played in a defined space.

 

 

If you have anything to share or would like us to cover a specific area of Mathematics - please let us know at...

kpisurf@gmail.com

 

 

Wacky Wednesday & Happy Holidays!

I was fortunate enough today to visit another primary school to attend a meeting. When I arrived  - the Principal apologised for her outfit and explained that it was 'Wacky Wednesday' (no explanation was needed really!). A day that had been organised by their Junior School Council as a dress up and fundraising day.

I considered all of the mathematics the students would be undertaking - probably without even realising it! Collecting donations, comparing outfits (colours, patterns, sizes etc), modified timetables for the day, investigating the fundraising theme - to build water wells in other countries (mapping, measurement, money etc).

 

 How lucky we are to teach and learn in such rich environments!

 

When we work so hard to provide amazing learning opportunities for our students - it is also important to have a break every now & then.

 

iSURF will be on holidays until Wednesday 16th July, when we will return to you with new ideas, maths tips and tricks, along with some new products to share.

 

Best wishes to all of our followers, friends and colleagues for a safe and restful break!

Kerry & Paula

 

Sunday Night Games

Number Swat!

Number Swat is a quick, easy and fun game to play that will reinforce just about any Maths concept!

 

Equipment needed:

• 2 Fly Swatters
• Numbers 0 - 10 (on individual cards)

 

Aim of the game:

Swat the card that matches what the teacher (or student) says as quickly as possible.

 

How to play:

• Number cards are spread out randomly on the floor
• Students line up with a partner (make a line on the floor to stand behind)
• Divide students into 2 teams (eg students lined up on the right are the green team, students that are lined up on the left are the blue team)
• The teacher calls out a number and the first pair race to swat the matching number
• The first person with their fly swat covering the number earns a point for their team
• The pair then sit down around the edge of the number cards (not too close!)
• After everyone has had a turn - the team with the most points at the end wins!

 

Variations:

• Increase the numbers used (eg 0 - 20)
• Use a mixture of numbers (eg 20 cards with a variety of numbers from 0 - 100)
• Give an addition/subtraction problem - first to swat the answer wins a point
• Cards have mathematical language on them - teacher gives the definition - students swat the matching mathematical term
• Select a counting pattern or times table to focus on (eg 5x tables) - put the answers on cards. Teacher asks a times tables question and students swat the answer
• Play before recess - as students are successful - they can head outside to play (this gives students who need further practise a second chance)

Feel free to add to our variations - write your ideas in the comments box below.

 

Pause and reflect!

As we move towards the end of the school term... it is a great time to pause and reflect on the progress our students have made.

 

In Australia, at this time of year, our students are nearly half way through the curriculum they are expected to learn. We are currently writing, proof reading and publishing student reports that indicate the personal growth that each child has made. However, we recognise the different stages of learning that students go through, and we must take stock of where they have started from and celebrate how far they have come.

 

In Mathematics - student progress can be rapid and amazing gains can be made as children grasp a new concept or they are ready for the next step in a Mathematical sequence of learning.

 

This week, we are encouraging you to pause and reflect!

Make time to stop and consider the following...

• What concepts have you explored in Mathematics over this half year?
• What amazing gains have your students made?
• Is there a student who has suprised you? Why?
• What changes have you made to your Mathematics program?
• What has stayed the same?
• What will you do differently next semester?
• Which child/children are ready for the 'next steps'?
• How will your planning look?
• How will you differentiate?

As teachers, we are constantly striving to improve.

Ask yourself one, some or all of the above and make a plan!

 

If there is anything that we here at iSURF can do to help...

then please let us know!

 kpisurf@gmail.com

or comment below!

 

Sunday Night - Double, halve or stay

Welcome and here it is Sunday night again. Here is our game for the week.

Double, halve or stay 

Choose a target number between 5 and 122. 

Players take turns to roll the dice/flip 2 cards to make a two-digit number. 

The player then makes a decision to produce a number that is as close as possible to the target number. 

They can choose to: 

• double their number 

• halve their number 

• keep the number as is 

The player closest to the target is the winner. 

Depending on ability levels of your students - they may use 6 sided dice or 12 sided dice or dice of your choice.

Some photos to share

This is a great book to teach the language of location. 

The bears go out the window, down the tree, around the lake.....

These photos are of pairs of children trying to represent the book in a 3D model.

We put out lots of blocks, shapes, manipulatives or anything really. 

We brainstorm where the bears go and make a list - so they can refer back to it as an anchor chart. 

They are restricted to make their model on an A3 piece of card. 

At the end, it is a great sorting task. 

Here are some models. 

A great task for looking at language of location.