2006 Maths Inquiry Unit - Introduction
About this page
Continuing on with our journey “How do we reform teaching practices that lead to improve student learning?”, the Maths Inquiry PALT was formed for several reasons:
- IMYMS component mapping indicates schools are yet to link to the students interests and connect to the local community.
- IMYMS component mapping identified that the student’s ownership of lesson content was relatively low.
- The relevance of teaching to students real life experiences was still largely unresolved.
- The desire to carry on with the journey started by the Negotiated Curriculum PALT last year.
IMYMS Component Mapping Unpacked
We then unpacked the IMYMS component mapping further and found that the most preferred activities in primary and secondary mathematics were:
- doing hands-on activities
- playing games
- doing investigations or projects of my own choice
- being able to choose how I present things
Student 10/4 Forums
The above statements were additionally supported by Student 10/4 forums that stated the top three statements to this question “What types of things happen in your classroom that keep you motivated to learn?”
- We choose who we work with in pairs or groups – not chosen by teachers because we are mature enough and responsible enough to decide.
- Choose if we do projects with partners or alone.
- Projects – choose topics within subject, also how we do it eg “hands on”, what type of 3D model etc.
Who is involved?
Therefore, considering the above information, four schools from the Kew Cluster - Kew East Primary School, Kew Primary School, Belluvue Primary School and Hawthorn West Primary School, decided to take part in working on an inquiry based maths project that would cover the above issues as well as addressing our main question of “How do we reform teaching practices that lead to improve student learning?”
Each school decided to undertake their own journey in developing a unit/s of work throughout 2006 to investigate elements of the research topic and contribute to the collective knowledge of the PALT. Palt actions will allow cross school input into the planning and evaluation process developed for each unit of work to facilitate this process.
The Inquiry Based Model – Cath Murdoch
The units of work developed reflected the inquiry based model of Cath Murdoch that contains the elements of finding out, sorting and going further, drawing conclusions and presentation. Click here for an example of an inquiry based unit.
Maths Inquiry PALT linking to PoLT principles
We also found how well the units linked to PoLT principals:
- PoLT 2 – the learning environment promotes independence, interdependence and self-motivation.
- PoLT 3 – students needs, backgrounds, perspectives and interests are reflected in the learning program.
- PoLT 4 – students are challenged and supported to develop deep levels of thinking and application.
- PoLT 5 – Assessment practices are an integral part of learning and teaching.
- PoLT 6 – Learning connects strongly with communities and practice beyond the classroom.
Each Individual Schools Journey’s
Click on each school’s name to have a look at their unit plan and resources.
Belle Vue PS
Hawthorn West PS
Kew East PS
Kew PS
Please remember, if you have any questions or queries please don’t hesitate to use the discussion board.