Mathematics
Welcome to Mathematics at Rangeview!
In this issue we provide some parent information about number fluency, an addition and subtraction game for younger students and some part, part-whole cards to assist students in building number fluency with multiplication and division.
PARENT INFORMATION
The afternoon of the Curriculum Day on Friday 29 April was used to provide staff with some training and time to play a range of Maths games. The training was provided by Pete Sanders, an experienced primary Maths educator and consultant with Love Maths (https://www.lovemaths.me/). Since I am writing this before we have had the training, you will find further information in the next newsletter.
We have been buying lots of dice for all classes in the last year so that these games can be deployed in the classroom. We see engaging Maths games as a way for students to develop their number fluency, increase their level of engagement in Mathematics and collaborate with and learn from their peers.
In his extensive paper ‘Teaching Mathematics: Using research-informed strategies’, Peter Sullivan (2011) identifies six key principles for effective teaching of Mathematics. Principle six is ‘Promoting fluency and transfer’, which he elaborates about as follows:
Fluency is important, and it can be developed in two ways: by short everyday practice of mental processes; and by practice, reinforcement and prompting transfer of learnt skills.
Pegg (2010) focused on the need for teachers to develop fluency in calculation in their students as a way of reducing the load on working memory, so allowing more capacity for other mathematical actions
PARENT STUDENT GAME TIME
Mary’s Game
This game is suitable for students in Grade 1 and 2 and will assist them to build their number fluency with addition and subtraction. What’s more, it provides the opportunity for students to emerge victorious over their parents without the need to let them win!
NUMBER FLUENCY
The outstanding website https://drpaulswan.com.au/resources has so many free printable Maths resources. One I found last year was Part, Part Whole cards. I haven’t managed to find it on the site this year so include it below. The 4 pages show two numbers with their product written above. However, by hiding one of the numbers, whether it is with a thumb or counter, supports students to develop and strengthen the link between multiplication and division in order to identify the missing part. Cards should be cut along the dotted lines at the margins. Why not encourage your child to create an ‘I can do that!’ pile of cards and an ‘I can’t do that YET!’ pile?
We find many students are able to solve a multiplication number sentence by skip counting to the answer. However, the same student may struggle when the same numbers are presented as a division number sentence. The extended periods of remote learning have undoubtedly had an impact on number fluency and Part Part Whole cards are one simple activity students might use at home to improve this.
If you would like to learn more about something specific in Mathematics, please email the office at rangeview.ps@education.vic.gov.au with ‘Attention: Vicki and Lee’ in the subject line and we will respond to you directly.
Go Maths!
Lee Giddings and Vicki Tzimos