Mathematics

MathXplosion

Are you looking for an educational way to engage your child using technology? 

I stumbled across 'MathXplosion' episodes on ABC iView and was instantly captivated by the short episodes focusing on different areas of Maths. 

The program is an entertaining and funny maths-short where 'mathemagician' Eric shares 'secrets' from the not-so-hidden world of Maths, such as measuring the height of trees using your thumb! But make no mistake, it's not magic, it's Maths! The three minute episodes are available on ABC iView. 

Maths Extension 

As part of our Maths program at St. Raphael's, we continue to use student data and observations to identify students who may require further challenge and extension in their learning of number. Over the last few weeks, our 'Maths Challenge' groups in Year 2 to 6 have been looking at developing their knowledge of numbers, experimenting with different operations and justifying their thinking using reasoning. 

One way we have explored numbers is introducing games which can be adapted to meet the individual needs of students. Total Recall is a wonderful game which we have introduced to challenge student thinking through revision of the operations and problem-solving. 

Our next focus over the coming weeks will center on estimation, justifying, and using  mathematical puzzles to foster students' abilities to reason and explain their thinking. 

Total Recall 

Total Recall is a card game where we use the 4 operations to play and it really makes us think about the different strategies we can use to get the most cards possible. 

• Place 6 cards face up on a table.  The remainder of the deck kept together face down. 
• Students take it in turn rolling a six or ten sided dice. Using the number that is displayed the student is challenged to use combinations of cards to equal the number. 
• Cards used to make the answer are collected and kept by each student and then replaced from the deck. The game continues until all cards have been used. 
• This game can be adapted where students can explore combinations of operations, decimals, negative numbers, fractions, and order of operations. 
• It is important before the student takes the cards, that they justify how they made their answer. 
• Once all cards are gone students total all card numbers to see who wins.

Maths Olympiad 

To complement some of the work we have been engaging in during our number challenges in Year 5/6, selected students have engaged in the Maths Olympiad competition. The program which is designed to stimulate and challenge student thinking is currently being finalised by APSMO. We congratulate all students on their hardwork and persistence in approaching these competitions. 

Maths Explorer 

This year, our school engaged in a pilot, 'Maths Explorer' program in Years 3/4. The program developed by APSMO, encouraged students to problem-solve and collaborate with peers, working together to make decisions about the way they explore a problem, regardless of their current capabilities. Unlike the Maths Olympiad competitions, students do not compete against other schools with the key purpose being to build student confidence and problem-solving in a fun and engaging way. 

Well done to the selected Year 3/4 students (and teachers) who engaged in the program!

We look forward to seeing what exciting opportunities present next year.