Mathematics

Maths Talk Prompts

Over the past few months, teachers have supported students mathematical discussions using 'Maths Talk' prompts. These prompts (developed by Matt Sexton - a Lecturer at Australian Catholic University) are a powerful tool for both teaching and learning. Rich dialogue supports students in making sense of complex ideas and builds classroom communities centered around meaning making. 

Wait Time:  Provides opportunities for students to organise their thinking and allows more considered responses.

• 'Let's just stop and pause for a bit here to think...'
• 'Wait time gives us time to think'

Revoicing: Useful for clarifying meaning and to highlight an important idea. It also supports students in linking everyday language with more precise and sophisticated language. 

• 'So to repeat what you just said...'
• 'Let me see if I understand by repeating what you said...'

Reasoning: Encourages students to justify or elaborate their own thinking, providing evidence to support their ideas. It also allows students the opportunity to expand their own perspective by considering the ideas of others.

• 'How could you convince someone even further?' 
• 'Why does that make sense right now?'
• 'Can you explain further?'

Adding On: Invites students to participate in discussion by building on the ideas of others. Helps promote deeper reasoning. 

• 'How can we add on to what you just said?'
• 'We can elaborate more by adding...'

Tug of War game

A game for two players. You will need a counter, paper and two 1-6 sided dice (virtual dice may also be used!) 

How to play:

1. Draw a number line on paper (like in the image below) and place the counter on the number 14 (the red circle in the picture represents the counter). 
   One player is called 'Plus' and the other is called 'Minus.' Decide who is is. 
2. 'Plus' moves the counter from left to right and 'Minus' moves the counter from right to left. Take it in turns to throw the two dice and add up the two numbers. Move the counter that number of places in your direction. 
3. If the counter reaches 1, 'Minus' has won. If the counter reaches 27, 'Plus' has won. 

Possible adaptations to the game: 

You may like to consider if you must land directly on 1 or 27 to win the game. 

Multiplication Square Jigsaw 

This activity is recommended for students in Year 3 onwards. Have a go at printing the multiplication jigsaw and putting it back together!