Learning Specialists - Teaching & Learning

Mathematical Modelling

Following on from a previous article, Mathematical Modelling is part of our MRPS classrooms on a regular basis. This is an important component of the new Victorian Curriculum, allowing students to use maths to solve real-world problems and thereby understand how important maths is to all of us.

In the 5/6 classrooms, late last week, students needed to calculate if $60 would be enough to buy fruit for a week for a family. The challenges came when they didn't know how big the family was or how much each item of fruit was. The only information they had was an illustration of the fruit shop. Mathematical Modelling requires students to make assumptions (e.g. how many people are the family) in order to solve the problem.

It was a great opportunity for students to work with a partner and discuss how to solve the problem. It was also an interesting activity for them to demonstrate their understanding of quantities and variety of fruit that a family would like. For example, a bag of lemons was a cheap option but, practically, not an option for most families to eat as fresh fruit.