Grade 8 Parents Information Evening Mathematics Department February 2009

Topics Covered A Glimpse at Grade 8 Maths and the new Curriculum A Glimpse at Grade 8 Maths and the new Curriculum Assessment in the new Curriculum and CASS requirements Assessment in the new Curriculum and CASS requirements The setting system The setting system Grade 9 and the CTA’s Grade 9 and the CTA’s FET Maths FET Maths Maths Literacy Maths Literacy Common Worries Common Worries Top Set issues Top Set issues Maths and Computers Maths and Computers Questions Questions

What does Grade 8 Maths look like? Nine 45 minute periods of Maths in the 10 day cycle Nine 45 minute periods of Maths in the 10 day cycle No Maths on a Thursday week B No Maths on a Thursday week B Homework 3 times a week Homework 3 times a week

Homework The new curriculum is a full one The new curriculum is a full one The pace at which we work is fast The pace at which we work is fast Homework is therefore essential for consolidation and practice. Homework is therefore essential for consolidation and practice. We do try to stick to the home work timetable We do try to stick to the home work timetable Some boys will complete their work in class or during break and not appear to have much homework Some boys will complete their work in class or during break and not appear to have much homework

The Curriculum The RNCS for the GET phase has The RNCS for the GET phase has 5 Learning Outcomes for Mathematics 5 Learning Outcomes for Mathematics LO 1Numbers, Operations and Relationships - i.e. Arithmetic LO 1Numbers, Operations and Relationships - i.e. Arithmetic LO 2 Patterns, Functions and Algebra LO 2 Patterns, Functions and Algebra LO 3Space and Shape (Geometry) LO 3Space and Shape (Geometry) LO 4Measurement (Area & Volume) LO 4Measurement (Area & Volume) LO 5Data Handling (Probability and Statistics) LO 5Data Handling (Probability and Statistics)

Assessment Standards LO’s are broken down into Assessment Standards which describe the curriculum in detail LO’s are broken down into Assessment Standards which describe the curriculum in detail Assessment Standards have been explained and expanded and appear on the College Intranet Assessment Standards have been explained and expanded and appear on the College Intranet

Assessment in Grade 8 and 9 Assessment is varied It can be group or individual work It can be marked with a memo or a rubric CASS ( continuous assessment) includes Exams Exams Common Tests Common Tests Investigations Investigations Tutorials or assignments Tutorials or assignments Projects Projects

Forms of Reporting to Parents Mark Reports Mark Reports Portfolio Review Portfolio Review Exams Exams

Mark Report Snap shot of how your son is performing mid term. Snap shot of how your son is performing mid term. Some CASS work included but mostly class tests which are set based Some CASS work included but mostly class tests which are set based Do not compare your son’s Mark Report mark with a pupil in a different set Do not compare your son’s Mark Report mark with a pupil in a different set Rather pay attention to the industry symbol Rather pay attention to the industry symbol Grade 8 MR 1 marks are all CASS work Grade 8 MR 1 marks are all CASS work

Portfolios Marked CASS work is put into a pupil portfolio Marked CASS work is put into a pupil portfolio Portfolios are kept in the teacher’s classroom Portfolios are kept in the teacher’s classroom Portfolio Reviews take place at the beginning of term 2 and 4 Portfolio Reviews take place at the beginning of term 2 and 4 Portfolios marks will be an accumulation of the different forms of assessment Portfolios marks will be an accumulation of the different forms of assessment

EXAM reporting Breakdown of marks on reports: Grade 8 : 50% CASS and 50% ExaminationGrade 8 : 50% CASS and 50% Examination Grade 9: 75% CASS and 25% ExaminationGrade 9: 75% CASS and 25% Examination Grade 10: 25% CASS and 75% ExaminationGrade 10: 25% CASS and 75% Examination

The Setting System 6 or 7 sets per grade 6 or 7 sets per grade Boys are placed in mixed ability sets at the beginning of Grade 8. Boys are placed in mixed ability sets at the beginning of Grade 8. Some years we do take into account the common entrance exam. This year we have divided the grade into a top and bottom half. Some years we do take into account the common entrance exam. This year we have divided the grade into a top and bottom half. Setting in 2009 will take place after the 1 st Mark Report in March Setting in 2009 will take place after the 1 st Mark Report in March Sets changes after initial setting occur again after the portfolio reviews or after the June or November examinations Sets changes after initial setting occur again after the portfolio reviews or after the June or November examinations

Set Changes after Grade 9 Set 1 boys have the same teacher from Grade 8 to 12 Set 1 boys have the same teacher from Grade 8 to 12 All other sets have the same teacher for Grade 8 and 9 All other sets have the same teacher for Grade 8 and 9 At the end of Grade 9 we reset by ranking them according to CASS work and a November examination At the end of Grade 9 we reset by ranking them according to CASS work and a November examination Boys keep their new teacher from Grade 10 to 12 Boys keep their new teacher from Grade 10 to 12 Set changes take place according to performance and aptitude and not a pupil’s teacher- preference. Set changes take place according to performance and aptitude and not a pupil’s teacher- preference.

End of Grade 9 marks Common Tasks for Assessment Common Tasks for Assessment Similar to a Maths Literacy examination as it is set in a particular context Similar to a Maths Literacy examination as it is set in a particular context CTA is completed during term 4 over CTA is completed during term 4 over 7 or 8 lessons under the guidance and 7 or 8 lessons under the guidance and assistance of the teacher assistance of the teacher Report mark : CASS 75%+ CTA 25 % Report mark : CASS 75%+ CTA 25 %

Bishops Grade 9 Internal Examination This tests content- work required for Grade 10 Mathematics This tests content- work required for Grade 10 Mathematics Reporting on this examination is made as a comment in the body of the report. Reporting on this examination is made as a comment in the body of the report. This exam is used for re –setting in Grade 10. This exam is used for re –setting in Grade 10.

Maths after Grade 9 Mathematics in the FET phase is compulsory Mathematics in the FET phase is compulsory 2 options: Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy 2 options: Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy Mathematics is necessary for those wanting to study a course requiring mathematics at university Mathematics is necessary for those wanting to study a course requiring mathematics at university Maths Literacy will be explained at the Gr 9 subject choice meeting Maths Literacy will be explained at the Gr 9 subject choice meeting

Top set issues and competitions Mrs Bradley will be the top set teacher for this grade. Mrs Bradley will be the top set teacher for this grade. Boys in top set are encouraged to participate and Olympiads and the UCT Maths Competition. Boys in top set are encouraged to participate and Olympiads and the UCT Maths Competition. In Grade 8 and 9 they are accelerated in terms of the syllabus and other topics of interest are discussed. In Grade 8 and 9 they are accelerated in terms of the syllabus and other topics of interest are discussed. In Gr 10 – 12 the new AP Maths course is incorporated into class time and most of the class should end up writing the IEB AP Maths exam as an 8 th subject in Gr 12 In Gr 10 – 12 the new AP Maths course is incorporated into class time and most of the class should end up writing the IEB AP Maths exam as an 8 th subject in Gr 12

Common Worries Strugglers Some boys will struggle with Maths Some boys will struggle with Maths At times homework will be difficult and tests will be challenging At times homework will be difficult and tests will be challenging Options for strugglers Options for strugglers Ask in class Ask in class Do homework regularly and sincerely Do homework regularly and sincerely Consult class teacher during open period Consult class teacher during open period Ask a friend Ask a friend Buy another text book Buy another text book Come to Maths Support Come to Maths Support Extra Lessons – if all else fails but consult teacher first Extra Lessons – if all else fails but consult teacher first

Maths and Computers Most maths is still done with pen and paper Most maths is still done with pen and paper Certain sections lend themselves to computer based work and in grade 9 students are using their laptops more and more Certain sections lend themselves to computer based work and in grade 9 students are using their laptops more and more Excel is used in the teaching of graphs; statistics and transformations to name a few. Excel is used in the teaching of graphs; statistics and transformations to name a few. Software such as Autograph and Geometer’s Sketchpad is used for demonstration purposes or as computer- based exercises that pupils work through. Software such as Autograph and Geometer’s Sketchpad is used for demonstration purposes or as computer- based exercises that pupils work through. Free software called Geogebra is loaded onto the boys’ computers. This is used to investigate transformations ; graphs and some geometry. Free software called Geogebra is loaded onto the boys’ computers. This is used to investigate transformations ; graphs and some geometry.