Mathematics

This week I attended 'The Age Education Summit' and was a part of a panel discussing the current state of Mathematics in Victoria and Australia. One of the topics was how we can engage students in Mathematics so that they continue studying Mathematics in the senior years and beyond! 

Engagement starts with students having positive experiences in the classroom and this starts with the relationships they form with their teachers and peers. Students also need to experience success, and because this is different for every student, the focus on their individual growth as a learner is extremely important. Lastly, students need to understand how the Mathematics they do in the classroom transfers to the real world. 

Our focus for Mathematics at Years 7 and 8 this term has been on supporting students in their transition from primary school to secondary school and developing their number skills. Teachers have been constantly assessing students to evaluate their growth and determining student misconceptions so we can address these in our teaching. Students have been completing a range of activities in class and have also enjoyed maintaining their bound references - which my Year 7 class has termed their “bougie book” because it’s a little bit fancy!

Soon, we will focus on tasks that relate Mathematics to the real world. The Year 7 students, who have just returned from camp, will use their camp experience as the topic of their statistics assignment. Students will develop questions for a survey, survey other students, present their data in tables and graphs and then summarise their data to feedback, to then give to the organisers of the camp. 

Our Year 7 students are very enthusiastic to learn and we are so pleased that they can be in the classroom learning. Below, Amelie, Ashleigh and Taylah have written some reflections of their experience of Mathematics so far at Kilbreda. 

Karen McMullen

Learning Leader:

Mathematics

Student Reflections

So far, Year 7 Mathematics has been really fun. I have learnt a lot and found that it pushes me. I am having a lot of fun with my new Mathematics  teacher. I don’t think I have ever loved Mathematics  so much. Every time I have a class I know I am going to have a good laugh and a good time. 

Amelie B

Year 7

This year, Mathematics has been so much fun. I enjoy having a laugh now and then and how we do fun activities sometimes. Our teacher is great and is so much fun. 

Ashleigh S

Year 7

My teacher has made Mathematics so fun. So far I have learnt my factors and multiples, division and order of operations. I look forward to seeing what I am capable of in this class. Mathematics  is so much more enjoyable and I feel more confident in the subject. 

Taylah D

Year 7