Improving learning in mathematics

Perception, taste & priorities Pearls before breakfast

Improving learning in mathematics Programme for Day Welcome & Introduction 0945 Review 1045Coffee 1115 Talking Maths 1245Lunch 1330Teaching Maths 1500 Next Steps 1530Close

Improving learning in mathematics Programme Aim: To enhance the learning experiences of all pupils by promoting quality teaching of mathematics

Every School a Good School

Better Mathematics

Characteristics that Determine Effective Provision December 2008

Improving learning in mathematics By the end of the two day programme participants will be better able to: Challenge pupils understanding through skilful questioning; Learning Intentions: Explore a variety of teaching activities and learning strategies Encourage pupils to think and talk about how they learn mathematics and what they have learnt Contribute to departmental planning and the dissemination of good practice within and across schools.

Improving learning in mathematics How would you Estimate: The number of hairdressers in N. Ireland? The population of N. Ireland (male/female) The area of Lough Neagh The height of Slieve Donard The number of pubs in Ireland The number of churches in N. Ireland The number of mobile phones in the world The number of Teachers in Northern Ireland Bowland Maths – You Reckon

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Improving learning in mathematics Challenged pupils understanding through skilful questioning? Explored a variety of teaching activities and learning strategies? Encouraged pupils to think and talk about how they learn mathematics and what they have learnt? Contributed to departmental planning and the dissemination of good practice within and across schools. Review Have you:

Different types of questions Improving learning in mathematics Creating examples & special cases Evaluating & correcting Comparing & organising Modifying & changing Generalising & conjecturing Explaining & justifying

Improving learning in mathematics Types of activity Classifying mathematical objects Creating problems Evaluating mathematical statements Interpreting multiple representations Analysing reasoning and solutions

Improving learning in mathematics Review Mind Map Activity Skilful questioning Variety of teaching activities and learning strategies?

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Improving learning in mathematics Personal Reflection

Improving learning in mathematics Please be back in 30 minutes

Improving learning in mathematics Buses, Buses, & more Buses!! All the pupils in this school are going on a trip. There are 423 pupils at this school. How many buses will be needed? Show all your work. Each school bus has 42 seats. Every bus must have a teacher on board, who will sit in one of the seats.

Improving learning in mathematics Buses, Buses, & more Buses!! How did you solve this problem? What benefits would have been gained by pupils working in small groups to solve this problem as opposed to carrying out the task individually? Consider the pupil responses what do you see?

Improving learning in mathematics Talking Maths

Sadly, children are frequently expected to write mathematics before they have learned to imagine and to discuss, and those who do not easily make connections are offered more pencil and paper work instead of the vital talk and discussion. Yet in other subjects it would be unthinkable to ask children to write what they cannot say. Talking Points in Mathematics, Anita Straker (1993) Improving learning in mathematics

If you can get students to articulate their views, and you get them to argue amongst themselves, in a way, you're moving the responsibility to them. Improving learning in mathematics You have a role of making little interventions that might steer the group in the right direction. Professor Celia Hoyles – Talking Maths

Learners: When you explain, you go through what you've already done, so it's sort of like revising it. Improving learning in mathematics Every time you explain something, you're reinforcing it in your own head as well. So every time you give an answer to something, you have to be sure of that yourself. And every time you do it, you become more sure of it. Teacher: As they're talking to each other they're exploring ideas out loud. They're correcting each other, they're discussing things and coming to conclusions.

Learners tell us that they get satisfaction out of understanding something, making sense of it, being able to explain it and justify their reasoning. It gives them a lot of confidence, but it also makes sense to them, and they can then fit it into other things they know. Improving learning in mathematics Lyn ChurchmanOfsted Inspector

We know from research that mathematical discussion is an essential component of thinking and reasoning. Yet, as many OfSTED reports confirm, collaborative discussion is rare among pupils in most mathematics classrooms. Improving learning in mathematics Many inspection reports echo this sentiment!

Mathematics Wall of Mastery Intuitive Concrete Pictorial Abstract Application Communication = 5

Functions Improving learning in mathematics How good are your communication skills?

Curves Improving learning in mathematics How good are your communication skills?

Integrals Improving learning in mathematics How good are your communication skills?

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Improving learning in mathematics Lunch

Types of Talk Improving learning in mathematics Types of learner-learner talk Cumulative Disputational Exploratory

Types of Talk Improving learning in mathematics Read the two examples of learner-learner talk Which type of talk do you think they represent: Cumulative; Disputational; or Exploratory?

Types of Talk Improving learning in mathematics Okay then I’ll show the DVD!!

Improving learning in mathematics Personal Reflection

Improving learning in mathematics Encourage Talking and Listening Developing communication, discussion and the skills of working with others Develop discussion opportunities and the skills of working with others

Improving learning in mathematics Encouraging the communication skills of talking and listening Paired Activities ‘Back-to-back’ ‘Fourbidden’

Wacky Races Improving learning in mathematics Developing discussion and the skills of working with others

and in group composition (consider size of group and ability) Improving learning in mathematics Developing communication, discussion and the skills of working with others Plan for progression in developing communication skills

Improving learning in mathematics In pairs: Consider the advice cards about the role of the teacher and if possible, add 2 extra advice cards ‘Diamond 9’ the advice cards according to their relevance Role of the Teacher during pupil discussion and collaborative work As a table group discuss: Does the Teacher’s role change when managing a whole class discussion? If so, how? As a table group agree on the 3 most relevant

Improving learning in mathematics In your table groups: Prepare your own list of ‘Ground Rules for pupils to use as they work in groups’ Role of the Pupil during pupil discussion and collaborative work As a table group discuss: How could you encourage pupils to adhere to a similar list ? Compare your list with the sheet Agree your top 3 rules

Improving learning in mathematics Theory into practice? Choose one topic that you plan to teach next week Think of some ways in which you might build in pupil mathematical discussion of the important ideas in that topic Share your outcomes on LNI

Improving learning in mathematics Learning NI

Improving learning in mathematics Personal Reflection

Improving learning in mathematics Evaluation & Travel forms

Go 4th + XGo 4th + X Improving learning in mathematics