Maths Intensive 2026

  My take aways from today is to further develop understanding of language, symbols and text in maths. What these look like, how they are used and how they can support our understanding of various equations. These concepts are the base scaffolding to building on a better understanding and use of algebra. My goal is to ensure the FUN is put into the learning and understanding as we dig deeper into the various concepts. Over the next few weeks I will be building my own understanding of algebra and how it is being used every day. I will develop a better use of the language and vocabulary that is not so common. This is where I will begin the journey to building my own and my students understanding of Algebra.  We will do further digging into vocabulary and symbols as well as developing a greater understanding of order of operations. I would like to have a strong focus on the equal sign and re word how it is used in 'math talk' and look at the history.

 Continuing to take stock of previous learning and self reflection of new and continued learning. Really enjoyed seeing what others had been doing with their Rich tasks and how their learners have engaged.  My key learning today has been that learning needs to have WORTH, be AUTHENTIC and develop deeper UNDERSTANDING.  Choral counting developing deeper understanding and justification of  their thinking and what patterns they can see. Math talk and 'I notice...' 'I wonder...' Keeping a record of thinking and ideas shared so that the students have a visual source for practice learning and consolidation.  I really enjoyed the rational numbers and the different, engaging ways it was scaffolded. Revisiting the basic concepts to consolidate prior learning and to build new or correct Vocab/language around rational numbers.  Work on a deeper understanding of the concepts and rules but also that students know the why. Can they explain the why? Using a variety of vis...

  Reflecting  Learning from the past 3 weeks and how I have been reflecting on my own teaching practices in the classroom.  I have been more aware of the Learning Intentions and Success Criteria and how this is shared with the learners. Taking the time to develop an understanding of these two statements has also helped the students have a better understanding of the 'why' of maths.  Learning today This morning I was reminded of the importance to check students knowledge and skills with digital technology. This is essential for the students to engage with, create and share their learning. It is also vital that the class site is up to date and visible so that the students and their whanau can have access to learning and sharing. We have discussed the practice of effective planning and connections across the strands and other learning areas that relate to the learners. Using time to 'Take stock' of where we are at has helped the reflection process and redirect the goals...

 So much to reflect on but the key point that I have taken from today is... Connections  * Connecting with the learning and resources. Doing the scaffolding/building prior to ensure that I have the knowledge and planning to support the learning going forward. Having a ' Growth Mindset'. * Connecting with my learners. 'Putting myself in their shoes.' Providing opportunities to learn in a variety of ways. Reflections I really enjoyed digging deeper into PAT and gaining a greater understanding of the valuable tool this is to inform my planning, resourcing and teaching practices.  Having a visual library of resources and examples of planning to support me on the journey moving forward with implementing my maths programme in a more succinct way. The chance to dig deeper into some of the tools and create resources that I will use within my teaching.

 Student Survey This survey was well received by the students of Mamaku 1. They enjoyed the discussions around the questions and results.  When reflecting on the results I found that the class has a lot of confident mathematicians. The students that are not as confident are participating in the 'Talk' groups. This is enabling them to feel included, listen to ideas and strategies and build up their confidence to start sharing their thinking.  What Kind of Mathematician are we?   We have implemented the Rules for 'Talk'. All students are engaging in rich maths tasks, and these rules have supported the rich discussions. Students that weren't engaged now have a voice and are being invited to share their thinking or solutions. 

Thursday 12 February Today began the journey of discovery around Mathematical practices and the profile of a good mathematician.  I have discovered it will be an ongoing journey. Dorothy explained this visual in such a way that it will be a great reminder that we can use what we know alongside what we are learning and in the right contexts this will support mathematical learning stay on track into the future. A Great resource that I want to work with and develop in my classroom is the Ground Rules for Talk.                                                                                                                                          ...