PRT Day 3

Morning Session: Fiona from Whakarongo - Maths PD. 

Question: What is working well in maths? 

For me - Using maniplutives, getting children moving (skip counting using actions), using ability based groups so teaching meets the children's diverse learning needs, using children's names and interests in word problems, modelling books to record children's thinking, learning experiences, and progress (on a level thats easy to share with children so they can see how much they are learning, I obviously use JAM etc to gauge actual progress). I don't tend to use maths books for children - i did at the beginning of the year but I felt hands-on activities work best to reinforce new learning). I use ICT such as YouTube for skip counting songs, introduction to concepts (multiplication, fractions etc) iPads for hundreds board, tens frames, number line, etc. 

Other ideas from group:

• Having  more confidence in OTJ as we are in term 3 
  
  
• Build programme (new at Whakarongo) 
  Buddy games
  Using manipulatives
  Independent reading work
  Learning numbers
  Doing maths (with teacher @ whakarongo)

Using maths equipment we have in new ways, rather than making new resources. 

• Number fans (can be used from NE - Year 8) "show me a number between 13-24' If you ask the children to show a specific number it limits their learning. Can be used for decimals and ordering/sequencing.
• Hundreds board 

 New materials that could be useful:

• Number wheels (number represented in different ways a number sense activity)

• Squeesy boxes 

• Art - integrated into maths. 

Suggested some opportunity for mixed ability grouping so children can learn from others (links to socio-cultural theory. I feel this happens within ability based groups as children learn at different rates/speeds within a group. I do use mixed ability groups for Friday maths where we have more of an ICT focus. Perhaps I can change this to art focus on alternate weeks?)

Looked at NZmaths website. e-ako maths - games like study ladder, can see children's progress and attempts at answering questions, timing of how long it takes children etc. 

Alim - helps you if students who are stuck. Lesson plans.  

Middle session - reinforced again the importance of having evidence towards our registered teachers criteria.

Visit to MLE

- Has been open since term 4 2013. There is one class year 5&6 that gives parents/students a choice if MLE isn't for them. 

- Not about the furniture/space, it's about the student directed learning (links to agency!!!) 

- Teachers say less planning involved. They plan together and as they are responsible for 1-2 groups in numeracy/literacy. 

- Head of MLE would have a say in appointment on any new teachers as they relationship between teachers is very important for the MLE to be successful. Similar philosophy. PRT 2 in there. 

- Friday is conferencing/sharing time. Teacher's conference with children from their own class, Helps to keep track of them.