Mathematics

What a busy time it has been in the learning and teaching of Mathematics at Rangeview.

On Saturday 23rd July, Mrs Tzimos (34V), Ms Bell (FK), Mr Anderson (2A), Miss Cormack (4C) and Miss Wallis (56W) attended a Maths Symposium held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. The theme of the day was ‘Open vs Closed Problems’ and speakers included Rob Vingerhoets, Michael Minas, Michaey Ymer and Nadia Abdelal – all very well-known and respected in the field of Mathematics.  

We explored the importance of incorporating open-ended tasks and problem-solving activities into our teaching and learning programs. Evidence based practice and current research supports the use of these in classrooms to ensure all students are able to engage in the learning regardless of their abilities. Additionally, open-ended tasks and problem-solving activities provide opportunities for students to apply critical thinking skills and extend their thinking beyond what closed activities and tasks allow them to do. The teachers that attended the Symposium were thrilled to share their discoveries and some new problem-solving tasks with Rangeview staff during a Professional Learning session the following Wednesday after school. Students will of course benefit from these tasks and we look forward to sharing more information about this with you as the term progresses. 

Rangeview Mathematician Award 

This initiative began in Term 2 and is awarded to two students from each level at Junior and Senior Assemblies. Congratulations to our Term 2 recipients who are listed below: 

Foundation: Clara (FW) and Rion (FA) 

Level 1: Jackson (1G) and Marley (1R) 

Level 2: Olivia (2K) and Santiago (2L) 

Level 3: Mia (3H) and Oscar N (3V) 

Level 4: Audrey (4T) and Maddie (4M) 

Level 5: Albert (56K) and Thomas (56W) 

Level 6: Jacky (56M) and Ryan S (56W) 

The Mathematician Award is awarded to students for various reasons including demonstration of a Growth Mindset, amazing reasoning skills, application of a variety of strategies to solve problems, peer to peer mentoring and more! Parents/ carers of students receiving an award will continue to be called by Mrs Tzimos and Term 3 recipients will be published in the newsletter early in Term 4.  

Family Game Time – Dice Games 

Please enjoy playing some dice games with your family. We have included games to suit our junior, middle and senior students. Good luck and we hope it doesn’t get too competitive! 

Levels F-2: MAKE 10! 

Levels 3-6: AVOIDING SEVEN 

Source: www.drpaulswan.com.au  

Levels 4-6: Sample open-ended tasks 

We will be providing more information about the benefits of open-ended tasks and problem-solving activities in the next addition. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via the office to talk everything Maths and for tips on how to support your child at home to engage further in Mathematics. 

Go Maths! 

Vicki Tzimos and Lee Giddings (3/4V)