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Literacy and numeracy

IfSR - Number and place value

The Interview for Student Reasoning - Number and place value (IfSR-NP) is the first of a series of on-demand assessments that enables teachers to hear and see how students apply their mathematical understandings of number and place value. IfSR-NP is divided into four sections:

  • Section 1: Understanding numbers to 10
  • Section 2: Understanding numbers to 30
  • Section 3: Understanding numbers to 120
  • Section 4: Understanding three-digit numbers and beyond

More information on each section is available below.

Assessment guide and materials

The Assessment guide and student materials document (PDF 460KB) (staff only) supports teachers to administer the assessment. (Note: document updated on 5 November 2021).

The first part of the manual outlines:

  • the purpose of the assessment;
  • details on how to prepare for, administer and lodge the assessment and;
  • a summary of related syllabus outcomes and links to the National Numeracy Learning Progression.

The second part of the manual details the materials required for each of the four sections for the assessment. Templates for printable resources are available in separate section documents below.

A complete paper version of the assessment items is also available for download if required (PDF 507KB) (staff only).

Section 1: Understanding numbers to 10

Explores the ability to recognise, read, represent, order and interpret numbers in multiple ways as well as in terms of their parts. When working towards Early Stage 1 outcomes and beyond, representing numbers in multiple ways is essential for developing number sense.

Download Section 1: Understanding numbers to 10 - materials and printable resources (PDF 1.44MB) (staff only).

Section 2: Understanding numbers to 30

Explores the ability to represent, partition, name, record, compare and order numbers, as well as use 10 as a reference in forming numbers from 11 to 20. When working towards Early Stage one outcomes and beyond, developing a sense of the size of numbers, their order and relationships is essential for developing number sense.

Download Section 2: Understanding numbers to 30 - materials and printable resources (PDF 1.32MB) (staff only).

Section 3: Understanding numbers to 120

Explores the ability to count, order, read, represent and work flexibly with 2- and 3-digit numbers. When working towards Stage 1 outcomes and beyond, developing efficient counting strategies through an understanding of the place value pattern ‘10 of these is 1 of those’ is vital. 

Download Section 3: Understanding numbers to 120 - materials and printable resources (PDF 816KB) (staff only).

Section 4: Understanding 3-digit numbers and beyond

Explores the ability to apply place value to order, read, represent, partition, interpret and round numbers including decimals. When working towards Stage 2 outcomes and beyond, developing a sound understanding of the base 10 numeration system enables students to have a quantitative understanding of place value as well as rename numbers in multiple ways.

Note: The following document was updated on 10 August 2021.

Download Section 4: Understanding three-digit numbers and beyond - materials and printable resources (PDF 2.16KB) (staff only)

Online tool

Teachers administer the assessment using the online tool for entering student responses. The online tool is available via ALAN.

This short preparation video 'How to navigate the online assessment' helps teachers familiarise themselves with the online tool.

Note: this video will be updated in Term 1, 2023 to align to the new NSW Mathematics K-2 syllabus (2022), version 3 of the National Numeracy Progression (2020) and changes in the online tool.

Navigating IfSR - Number and place value (IfSR-NPV)

The ALAN helpdesk has solutions for all ‘How to' questions for administering the assessment

Professional learning

Becoming mathematicians: How numbers and fractions work: professional learning video exploring how numbers and fractions work by examining critical components in the development of students' number sense, including the relationships between quantities, language and symbols in making meaning, representing quantities, hierarchical inclusion and the importance of place value.

  • Access 'Becoming mathematicians: How numbers and fractions work' via MyPL (course code NR28548).

Becoming mathematicians: Quantifying collections: professional learning video and accompanying resource examining two components of quantifying collections; subitising and counting with understanding.

Becoming mathematicians: Exploring patterns: professional learning video and accompanying resource examining some components of exploring patterns, from Kindergarten to high school.

Improving reading and numeracy course: Number and place value (primary)

This professional learning course supports teachers to understand and implement evidence-based teaching strategies for number and place value and access, adapt and implement universal resources to support effective teaching practice.

Improving reading and numeracy course: Number and place value (secondary)

This professional learning course supports teachers to understand and implement evidence-based teaching strategies for number and place value and access, adapt and implement universal resources to support effective teaching practice.

Additional resources

Exploring patterns

Quantifying collections (in six parts)

Resources supporting the evidence-based teaching of numeracy more broadly are available on the:

Support

Visit the Interview for student reasoning web page for information on the purpose of the assessment.

Visit the Literacy and numeracy professional learning web page for more professional learning opportunities in the practical application of evidence-based teaching of numeracy.

Visit the ALAN helpdesk for solutions relating to administering the assessment.

Join the Interview for Student Reasoning channel in the Numeracy NSW statewide staffroom in MS Teams.

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