Extension Numeracy

Extension Numeracy Program

In returning to Healesville High School this year l have been given the role of ‘Leading Numeracy’. One of my tasks is to develop a program that extends our numeracy across the school, with the long term goal to improve students later years Mathematics results.

I thought about how l could do this in the quickest and easiest way and decided that this was not going to be effective, so l needed to think long term. A decision was made to select students based on their NAPLAN results, their PAT results (completed in school) and teacher feedback, if they had achieved consistently high results they were asked to attend an Extension Numeracy session. This session outlined my ideas on what this program could look like and allowed for the students to voice their opinions on what they would like to achieve.

I explained that the intention of the program is to allow these selected students the opportunity to achieve the highest possible results in their future VCE mathematics classes, with a specific focus on comprehension of worded mathematical problems and challenges. I also explained that for the students to get the most benefit out of the program it is important that the students and families understand that this is not a ‘penalty’ for completing set class tasks and assessments to a high standard, it is an opportunity to further enhance their numeracy skills. So students and their families had the opportunity to opt in or out of the program.

The program involves the opportunity for the students to complete an additional problem solving booklet when they have completed set class tasks (in class time) and to work on the booklet at home if they choose to further challenge themselves. Students also have an opportunity one period every two weeks to meet with me to attempt further challenges together as a group and to discuss effective problem solving strategies. Additionally, students are able to discuss and seek assistance about their progress with the problem solving activities that have been set in their booklets.

Along with the development of the Extension Numeracy Program, l am also assisting in Year 7-10 mathematics classes throughout the term. l am rotating my time to provide additional support to teachers and students to further assist in improving numeracy results in the long term.

I will provide examples of the challenges that we have been completing in the Extension Numeracy Program in the Happenings, so feel free to have a go and submit responses to me.

For further information or if you have any questions please feel free to contact me via email at edwards.lisa.j@edumail.vic.gov.au or via phone on 5962 4088.

Lisa Edwards

Leading Numeracy

Numeracy Challenge

Joe counts 48 heads and 134 legs among the chickens and dogs on his farm. How many dogs and how many chickens does he have?