Hawthorn West PS
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Maths- Where Is It? Integrated Inquiry
Hawthorn West Primary School
Introduction
Teachers at Hawthorn West Primary School listened to student’s needs and concerns when developing this Integrated Inquiry about ‘Maths in the world’. Through the analysis of data gathered by Deakin University a percentage of our student’s indicated that they did not understand how mathematics was related to everyday life and that they felt disengaged during math sessions, as a result this unit was created.
Level 4 students at Hawthorn West Primary school have used the inquiry process to investigate math’s in the world. The student’s discovered how mathematics is linked to everyday life experiences. They also investigated the important role maths has in our community and how it helps us organise, think about and communicate within our world.
During the finding out stage of the inquiry process the student’s explored the math’s involved in an occupation. The student’s chose from landscape architecture, chef, shopkeeper, stockbroker and fashion designer. The students and teacher brainstormed all the maths involved in that occupation and created a list of criteria for the students to complete to help them learn about the maths involved in the occupation.
During the sorting out stage the students presented their findings to the Level 4 area using a variety of presentation methods. The chef’s cooked, fashion designer’s made garments for a fashion parade, the shopkeeper’s opened a shop, the landscape architect’s designed a park and the stockbroker’s followed the stock market including mock buying and selling of shares. Each group explicitly explained all the math’s involved in the end product.
To research information students made phone calls and used the Internet. Guest speakers were invited to speak to the students about the math’s involved in their job. The student’s next challenge was a ‘Maths in the City excursion where the students split into small teams to complete a series of mathematical challenges.
In the going further stage students conducted their own individual projects about maths in the world, for example sport. The students negotiated with the teacher to select appropriate mathematical activities. Students reflected on their experiences daily through a variety of reflection techniques, to celebrate and reflect on their learning journey. The student’s chose appropriate ways to present their findings during a Maths Expo for the Level 3 students, Cluster schools and parents. The student’s also created an advertising campaign for an occupation highlighting the mathematical skills that are necessary.
This unit has been a great success in improving student’s attitude towards maths, particularly those who showed disinterested in the past. Students have shown an increased awareness in the math’s around them and are now viewing sessions as a positive experience.
Unit Plan
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