Effective mathematics teaching practices across K-6
Have you ever wanted to learn more about some effective teaching practices you can use in your mathematics classroom? Are you curious about the importance of dispositions, culture and how we can support students to think and work like mathematicians? Well, there is a Becoming Mathematicians sustained professional learning course designed just for you!
Effective Teaching Practices across K-6 promotes access and equity for the diverse range of students across NSW Public Schools. It explores high-quality mathematics tasks, intentional teaching practices and the importance of a productive classroom culture.
It has been developed by the NSW Mathematics Strategy Professional Learning team (NSWMS PL team) and will provide opportunities for you to hear from some leading academics as we learn more about effective teaching practices in mathematics.
Who is this course for?
Participants may complete this professional learning individually or together as a team. Participants could include:
- any teacher or leader interested in enhancing their understanding of some important big ideas in mathematics across K-6
- Assistant Principals, Curriculum and Instruction (AP, C&Is)
- specialist support teachers
- graduate teachers with a specialisation in mathematics
- Stage 4 teachers and leaders focussed on supporting the transition between Stage 3 and Stage 4.
Do we need a school team?
Learning together is usually more impactful than learning alone, however, it’s not always possible for schools. In previous years, participants have included:
- individual teachers who have used their RFF because they wanted to learn more about maths
small teams from within a school
Deputy Principals and Principals who have participated in the learning alongside teachers
whole school teams who learnt together, using staff development days and professional learning meetings as time to come together to refine, affirm and deepen their understanding
teachers who have formed small communities of learners with colleagues at different schools, creating their own online learning spaces to talk about their ideas, learning and actions they took in classrooms.
What will I learn about?
Becoming Mathematicians: Effective Teaching Practices across K-6 aims to:
deepen understanding of evidence-based practices in mathematics education and explore how they relate to syllabuses
showcase examples of classroom practice, tasks and assessment tools
examine and reflect on the importance of classroom cultures and dispositions towards maths
support knowledge for teachers across the horizon of K-6 and beyond
enhance teachers’ confidence in the teaching and learning of mathematics
deepen teachers’ knowledge
provide opportunities to work collaboratively within and across school communities
provide ideas about how teachers and leaders can enact on what is learnt.
How does this course support Curriculum Reform and syllabus implementation?
Research has shown that “effective mathematics teaching requires teachers to be skilled at teaching mathematics in ways that are effective in developing mathematics for all learners” (NCTM, 2014) This course offers school communities the opportunity to explore a range of teaching practices that promote mathematical reasoning, understanding, fluency, problem solving, communicating and productive dispositions, aligning with findings of the NSW Curriculum Review.
What is the commitment?
Becoming Mathematicians: Effective Teaching Practices in Mathematics across K-6 is an online course on Open Learning which teachers across NSW can access as best suits them. The course involves 8 self-paced parts with each taking approximately 2 hours to complete. This includes:
1 prerequisite introductory “course” which provides some important background information for teachers who choose to participate in Effective Teaching Practices or Big Ideas to Start Strong. Once completed, you’ll receive access to Becoming Mathematicians: Effective Teaching Practices
7 modules for Effective Teaching Practices released throughout the year
opportunities to play with mathematics and discuss, reflect and respond to ideas throughout each module.
What are the release dates?
| Learning | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
Prerequisite: Introduction course |
Term 1, Week 5 |
|
Module 1: A tale of two tasks: the importance of task selection. |
Term 1, Week 6 |
|
Module 2: A goal without a plan is just a wish: establishing clear learning goals. |
Term 2, Week 2 |
|
Module 3: Using learning goals to become knowers, doers and sense-makers. |
Term 2, Week 6 |
|
Module 4: Who, what, where, why?: using questioning to target teaching. |
Term 3, Week 2 |
|
Module 5: Not too hot, not too cold…just about right! Targeting teaching to point of need. Part 1 |
Term 3, Week 6 |
|
Module 6: Paying attention to intangibles: exploring classroom culture. |
Term 4, Week 2 |
|
Module 7: Not too hot, not too cold…just about right! Targeting teaching to point of need. Part 2 |
Term 4, Week 6 |
Participants may like to access each new part:
on the date it is released
after the release date
over a few days, spending an hour one day and an hour another
by ‘saving up’ several modules to explore a few of them together as part of a professional learning day.
How do I participate?
Late registration for Becoming Mathematicians: Effective Teaching Practices across K-6 is open for NSW Department of Education teachers and school leaders until the end of Term 1.
You will need to consider the time commitment and discuss this learning opportunity with your principal and get their approval to participate. There is no cost associated with this professional learning. However, if casual relief is used, that will need to be covered by the school.
Each person taking part in the learning must register. You can complete the registration individually or one colleague can register each participant in your school team. Allow up to 2 weeks to receive an email with access information for the professional learning.
Register now
If you are in a non-school based teaching (NSBT) role, please register using the K-6 Maths Strategy Professional Learning – NSBT form.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
Contact the NSW Maths Strategy Professional Learning team for further information.