- aim to provide high quality, engaging and equitable teaching and learning opportunities for all students to enable
our students to achieve to the best of their ability and become lifelong learners
- recognise students as individuals, cater for their individual needs
- closely monitor achievement to inform teaching and ultimately raise student achievement
The teaching of Mathematics at Victoria Avenue Primary is based on the New Zealand Numeracy Project, which deals with developing a knowledge of numbers and applying this knowledge in mathematical problem solving.
However, the Numeracy Project is just one componentin the teaching of Mathematics and the development of mathematical understanding. Mathematical knowledge in the other strands of the curriculum also forms a crucial part of teaching and learning. ‘Strand’ knowledge is taught alongside the number-based project in the specific areas of Number & Algebra, Geometry & Measurement and Statistics. Weekly basic facts practice is also an important component in every year group.
Click here for more information on the Number Framework
Assessment in Mathematics
We use a range of assessment tools to identify learning needs and determine the next learning steps. This information helps to determine their teaching and inform the overall teacher judgment on student achievement and inform teaching. These tools include:
GLOSS
The GloSS assessment enables teachers to identify the strategy stage students are operating at across all three strategy domains – addition and subtraction, multiplication and division and proportions and ratios, as well as identify a global strategy stage. It consists of a series of strategy questions, which can be administered to individual students in a few minutes. At V.A.S. this test is administered at the beginning and end of the year as well as during the year as required.
IKAN
The IKAN assessment identifies the knowledge stages students are operating at – This is referred to as the global knowledge stage. An interview can be administered for students operating at the early counting stages of the number framework. It can be carried out formally in a one-on-one situation or in a small group setting. The IKAN written test is for students at the part-whole stages of the number framework.
PAT – Progressive Achievement Tests
This is a standardised test developed specifically for use in New Zealand schools. In Term One we administer the PAT Mathematics test to students in Year 3 to 6. This is a multiple-choice test that tests all aspects of the New Zealand Curriculum.
e - asTTle
Mathematics
e - asTTle is an assessment tool developed by the Ministry of Education by the University of Auckland. It enables teachers to develop individualised tests to track the progress and achievement of both individual students and groups of students against national expectations. An e-asTTle test is administered online to each student in Year 4-6 in Terms 2, 3 and 4. We use these tests to monitor student achievement in strand and inform teaching.
ICAS
The International Competitions and Assessments for School (ICAS) are standardised tests conducted by The University of New South Wales. We are offering students in Year 4-6 the opportunity to sit the ICAS Mathematics on Tuesday 17 August.Participation in these tests is optional. Completion of the tests provides children with experience in sitting an external test and the achievement report will allows your child to monitor their progress from year to year and identify areas for further focus.
Numeracy Support Programmes
- At V.A.S we aim to cater for individuals. Cross grouping of students from Years 3-6 continues to allow opportunities for extension and acceleration in Mathematics as well as support for any students achieving below expectation. Groupings have been based on current testing and are reviewed each term.
- This term we have an enrichment and extension group once a week for a group of Year Two students
- A group of Year 6 students are registered each year for the Otago University Problem Challenge. This is a mathematics problem solving competition aimed primarily at students in Years 7 and 8 although is considered suitable for Year 6 students who demonstrate exceptional ability. The problems included in this challenge aim to develop and extend the skill needed for problem solving.
- All students in Years 2-6 have access to Mathletics which is a website based mathematics programme. This programme supports the class programme providing additional opportunities for students to improve their basic computation skills and practice mathematical concepts. It is proving to be a motivating and stimulating means of improving basic computation skills and providing practice of mathematical concepts. For more information go to the Mathletics website.
- By registering as a parent with Mathletics you will receive weekly reports, have access to view your child’s progress and print out their certificates. There is no cost for registration. To find out how click here
Helping at Home
How can you help your child in Mathematics?
- Be supportive and show a positive attitude to maths learning
- Listen to them explain their thinking
- Give them opportunities to do maths eg counting money, measuring things, reading numbers around them, playing games or reading times and timetables
Click here for some activities to support your child.
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