Mathematics

At Bicton we aim to provide students with the essential mathematical skills and knowledge in Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability. Our focus is to develop students’ numeracy capabilities that they require in their personal, work and civic life and provide the fundamentals on which mathematics specialities and professional applications of maths are built.

We focus on developing a sophisticated, refined mathematical understanding for our students that promote and extend their skills in fluency, logical reasoning, analytical thought and problem-solving. A key focus of our future mathematics programs is to ensure our emphasis is on ‘strategy based learning’ so our students are able to think flexibly with numbers and utilise their skills to solve challenging problems requiring multiple steps.

A small snapshot of key focuses and strategies Bicton is employing to continue to build our Mathematics programs and pedagogy are:

• Investigate Lesson Design and Numeracy block structure for the whole school.
• Investigate effective whole school resources and practices to better cater for student achievement levels.
• Develop a Bicton Mathematics Guide, including problem solving strategies and consistent language in consultation with Math Curriculum Committee and team leaders.
• Develop and use Year level overviews for planning teaching, learning and assessment.
• Teams (K/PP, 1/2, 3/4, 5/6) to develop common assessment tasks linked to SCSA Assessment Pointers incorporating proficiencies.
• Consolidation of agreed whole school vocabulary guide to ensure consistency in language across the school.
• Teachers use ICT including iPads, interactive whiteboards and other technologies to engage students in numeracy.
• Investigate and develop programs or professional learning in identifying and extending high achieving students.