Maths with Mr Jellie

Langwarrin Primary School has undertaken an exciting initiative this year in developing and providing Mathematics problem solving as a specialist lesson.  The aim of these lessons is to explicitly teach students different problem-solving strategies that they can build on back in their respective classrooms. 

Our students have used a range of hands on materials and technologies to explore and solve problems. Some of the materials that have been used so far are counters, dice, dominos, calculators, cards, counting sticks, rulers, connector cubes, cuisenaire rods and a student favourite is using whiteboard markers on our tables.

Other key elements of the Mathematics problem solving classes is to develop a love of learning Mathematics, how to work effectively in a group and to encourage all students to embrace challenges.  Students have explored what a growth mindset is, the ways you can develop one and how you can use it to get through challenging tasks.  In particular, the power of the word ‘YET’ has become part of our Mathematics vocabulary and is used to underpin our growth mindsets. Our students have explored how adding the word yet to the end of sentence can signal you are ready to learn and setting yourself up for success.  “I can’t do it…YET!”