Maths
Mathematics is a language, and just like English or Te Reo Māori, students must have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be able to communicate mathematical concepts effectively.
We use mathematics every day.
If we wish to inspire children to become mathematically literate, we must think of numeracy as a journey of proficiency, just like reading or writing. Maths isn't something that people just naturally "get" (or not); mathematical literacy is an ability to speak, read, and write fluently about mathematical and logical concepts - from time, to measurement, to numbers, to probability of events.
We use the Maths No Problem programme, based upon a Singaporean maths model. From a professional perspective, this is the best mathematics programme I have ever used - in Canada or Aotearoa New Zealand. It challenges students to understand maths, not do maths.
One of my most effective professors in my undergraduate studies said, "Science is a verb." The same can be said for mathematics. Maths is a verb, not a noun.
The units we study this year are:
Of course, there are students who love reading novels - and a love of reading novels is a wonderful quality to develop. Books geared toward upper primary students focus on relevant topics such as friendship, independence, conformity, loss, dilemmas, and the challenges of being a youth.
However, please remember that if your child is intent on reading sports biographies or cookbooks, this is no less valuable a hobby than reading novels!
We use mathematics every day.
If we wish to inspire children to become mathematically literate, we must think of numeracy as a journey of proficiency, just like reading or writing. Maths isn't something that people just naturally "get" (or not); mathematical literacy is an ability to speak, read, and write fluently about mathematical and logical concepts - from time, to measurement, to numbers, to probability of events.
We use the Maths No Problem programme, based upon a Singaporean maths model. From a professional perspective, this is the best mathematics programme I have ever used - in Canada or Aotearoa New Zealand. It challenges students to understand maths, not do maths.
One of my most effective professors in my undergraduate studies said, "Science is a verb." The same can be said for mathematics. Maths is a verb, not a noun.
The units we study this year are:
- Numbers to 1 000 000
- Whole Numbers: Addition and Subtraction
- Whole Numbers: Multiplication and Division
- Whole Numbers: Word Problems
- Graphs
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Percentage
- Geometry
- Position and Movement
- Measurements
- Area and Perimeter
- Volume
- Roman Numerals
Of course, there are students who love reading novels - and a love of reading novels is a wonderful quality to develop. Books geared toward upper primary students focus on relevant topics such as friendship, independence, conformity, loss, dilemmas, and the challenges of being a youth.
However, please remember that if your child is intent on reading sports biographies or cookbooks, this is no less valuable a hobby than reading novels!
Journeys
Just like with reading and writing, mathematics guides students along a journey of understanding. Not all students progress along this journey at the same rate. Because some of our learners require more experience working with, discussion, and understanding concepts, there are students who need additional support with the Maths No Problem programme. Their learning is tailored to their needs. We focus on identical concepts to those undertaken by their peers, but at a more introductory and highly-supportive level. In 'teacher speak', this is known as differentiation.
To successfully support our students, I create YouTube videos of each maths lesson for students to view in class (and review at home, if they choose). These videos demonstrate the concepts of each lesson in detail; the advantage of these videos is that students can pause, scroll back, or move forward in the videos to review any concepts as many times as needed. Similarly, these videos support parents who might have questions about the concepts and how they are presented to students.
To view our Maths No Problem videos, click here.
To successfully support our students, I create YouTube videos of each maths lesson for students to view in class (and review at home, if they choose). These videos demonstrate the concepts of each lesson in detail; the advantage of these videos is that students can pause, scroll back, or move forward in the videos to review any concepts as many times as needed. Similarly, these videos support parents who might have questions about the concepts and how they are presented to students.
To view our Maths No Problem videos, click here.