Mathematics

Essential Assessment

At St.Raphael's we use a combination of formative and summative assessment tools. One way to gauge students' knowledge and understanding is through conducting pre- and post-tests in Maths. Pre-tests provide teachers with important information on the needs of students and supports targeted planning of explicit teaching. While post-test identify student growth and areas for continued improvement. 

**It is important to note, that testing using the platform has a range of levels to support differentiation, so our continued focus is on the growth of the child - not necessarily a score of 100% on a test. 

The Essential Assessment tool is an online platform which all students across the school can access from home. 

In Foundation - Year 2: 

• students complete hardcopy tests often sourced from the Essential Assessment platform. These tests are completed in small groups and the information entered into our school's data system.
• Teachers set 'My Numeracy' tasks based on the current focus or to revise previous skills.
• Students are able to continue to practice their automatic recall of number facts through the 'Sunset Maths' component of the program. This is adjusted by teachers as needed.

In Years 3 - 6: 

• students predominantly complete electronic tests through the Essential Assessment platform. This provides immediate feedback and creates several useful resources for families.
• 'Learning Goals' rubric - is designed to provide a visual learning support for students. After an assessment is completed electronically, a 'Learning Goals' document is automatically generated. This document will reflect what they already understand, represented by yellow stars. Non-coloured stars will appear against descriptors where understanding is not yet understood by the student.

• Learning Plan - a resource document to further assist students with their understanding.

• 'My Numeracy' works in conjunction with the Essential Assessment online program. It is dependent on a child's pre-assessment results and provides a differentiated and personalised online curriculum for each student.
• 'Sunset Maths' - a program aimed at developing each student's mental maths skills in the four operations.

Maths Seed Challenge

Students in Foundation to Year 2 have been fortunate enough to take part in the MathSeeds Numeracy Challenge. The challenge provides 4-weeks of access to the program which includes short mental Maths activities and games. 

The MathSeed Challenge sits on the same platform as Reading Eggs, which all students have a log-in too.