Mathematics - Tiered Instructional Approach
We’re excited to share that from Week 3 to Week 5 this term, our Mathematics program will be implementing a Tiered Instructional Approach to better target and support each student’s learning.
What is a Tiered Instructional Approach?
This approach ensures that all students are taught at their point of need. Based on data from pre-assessments and mid-assessments, students are grouped according to their current understanding of key mathematical concepts. Each group works with a teacher who is focusing explicitly on their identified learning goal. Instruction is explicit, structured, and aligned with where each learner is ready to grow.
How does it work at our school?
- All students completed a Pre-Assessment at the beginning of Term 1
- Teachers used this data to design a Tier 1 learning experience featuring rich, differentiated tasks to build foundational understanding
- Following whole-class instruction throughout Term 1, a Mid-Assessment was conducted to identify each student’s specific learning goal
- From Week 3 to Week 5, students will join a group that targets their individual goal through direct, tailored teaching
- Your child may be assigned to a teacher other than their regular homeroom teacher within their cohort or Learning Community Leader, depending on their specific learning needs.
Preparing students for success
Teachers have already begun preparing students for this approach through social stories and whole-class conversations during morning circle time. These discussions help students understand the purpose of the tiered groups and build confidence about learning in different settings. Preparation will continue over the coming weeks to ensure that by Week 3, all students feel supported and ready to begin. Your child will find out who their initial group teacher is prior to week 3 (** please note that their teacher may change during the 3 weeks based on their response to the instruction).
Why this approach?
- It allows every student to receive the right instruction, at the right time
- It’s based on evidence — not assumptions — about what each student currently understands
- It builds confidence, ensures challenge, and promotes progress for all learners
- Most importantly, it is fluid: students are not fixed in a group. As their understanding grows, their group may change accordingly
Our teaching team has invested significant time into designing rubrics, analysing assessment data, and planning high-impact teaching sequences to make this process effective and responsive.
You can find the rubrics for each learning cohort below, outlining the specific learning goals, success criteria, and assessment criteria being used to guide instruction and measure progress during this tiered Mathematics cycle.
This approach will become a regular part of our Mathematics program moving forward. Students will continue to engage in whole-class learning experiences with their regular teacher, while also participating in targeted Tiered Instructional cycles at specific points throughout the term. These cycles allow for a focused period of explicit instruction based on individual learning goals. Families will be notified ahead of time each time a Tiered Instructional cycle is planned, so you are aware of when this focused teaching and regrouping will occur.
We are proud of this work and confident that this approach will result in deeper learning and stronger growth in Mathematics. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher.
Foundation: Counting and Place Value
Year 1/2: Counting and Place Value
Year 3/4: Addition and Subtraction
Year 5/6: Multiplication and Division
