Numeracy Project

History

The AICS Numeracy Strategy began as the Resilient Professional Numeracy Network in the Kimberley Schools in 2008.  This grew out of a genuine desire from AIC schools for greater curriculum support in numeracy, following on from the success that literacy support has generated since 2001. Funded by the Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM), the  Resilient Professional Numeracy Network covered the 6 Kimberley AIC Schools, who also contributed their DEEWR funded Targeted Programs - Numeracy money, in order to run the project for one year with a full time Broome based consultant.

The major outcome of this project, was the rich mathematical conversations  that took place in the AIC schools. Teachers, AEWs and principals discussed the maths that students needed, and this resulted in more focussed and explicit numeracy teaching.

AICS Numeracy Strategy 2010

During the latter stages of the ASISTM project, the AICS Support Unit applied to DEEWR for the continuation and expansion of the Resilient Professional Numeracy Network. This was successful under the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 and Closing the Gap: Expansion of Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Programs for Underachieving Indigenous Students and Individual Leaning Plans. This funding will cover consultancy support for all participating AIC Schools in Western Australia for 2010 and 2011.

The AICS Numeracy Strategy is now working towards making significant improvements in students’ understanding and hence closing the gap on numeracy and mathematics outcomes for students in the Aboriginal Independent Community Schools.

The focus of our work is on the Number strand as an understanding of numbers is the basis for learning in most other areas of mathematics.

Activities that are central to the AICS Numeracy Strategy include:

• Visits to each of the schools every term by the numeracy consultant
• Working shoulder to shoulder with teachers in classrooms.
• Developing and trial of a collection of diagnostic assessment tasks
• Development of the AICS Numeracy Tracking Tool (ANTT)
• Supporting teachers to use the assessment tasks and inputing data into the ANTT.
• Development of Term plans which provide activity ideas for teachers at three levels, junior primary, middle primary, and upper primary / secondary.
• Teacher, Principal and AEW Professional Development Workshops
• Working with teachers to plan their mathematics lessons
• Set up and use of email networks
• Phone and email support offered by the consultant for individual queries / issues.

PD Info

There are a number of professional development days throughout the year for teachers, principals and Aboriginal Education Workers.  AICS runs workshops at the beginning of the year in Fitzroy Crossing for the Kimberly schools and in Perth for the Pilbara and Southern schools.  AISWA also host a week of professional development in Broome at the start of second term where there are excellent keynote speakers and workshops to provide further learning in mathematics teaching and learning.

The AICS Numeracy Consultants also provide on-going PD throughout the year in schools and in regional centres tailored to meet the needs of teachers, principals, Aboriginal Education Workers  and students.

Resources

Term One – Junior Primary Plan for Understand Number

Term One – Middle Primary Plan for Understand Number

Term One – Upper Primary /Secondary Plan for Understand Number

Term Two – Junior Primary Plan for Understand Operations

Term Two – Middle Primary Plan for Understand Operations

Term Two – Upper Primary /Secondary Plan for Understand Operations

Useful Websites

Illuminations - A library of 105 online activities that help to make maths come alive in the classroom or at home.

http://illuminations.nctm.org/  

Maths 300 – rich mathematical lessons with accompanying software (subscription required)

http://www.maths300.esa.edu.au/

NZ Maths – New Zealand  Ministry of Education site with very useful activity ideas and teaching units

http://nzmaths.co.nz/

Barry Kissane’s Homepage – Murdoch University Lecturer with many useful links and ideas

http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~kissane/

Rainforest Maths – interactive activities that can be used on an electronic whiteboard (mathletics login required)

http://www.rainforestmaths.com/

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives - A large and very impressive collection of applets, with substantial support provided for teachers and parents. Linked to the NCTM Standards.

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

Count Me In Too – NSW Education site with numeracy ideas for teachers as well as parents

http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/countmein/index.html  

Adrian Bruce – Some games as well as templates and posters to download

http://www.adrianbruce.com/maths/index.htm

Contacts

Broome Office:

Caroline Ison (Numeracy Consultant)

Tel:          (08) 9193 7591
Email:      numeracy@westnet.com.au
Fax:         (08) 9193 6484

Elizabeth Milne (Numeracy Consultant)

Tel:          (08) 9193 7591
Email:      mathematics@westnet.com.au
Fax:         (08) 9193 6484

Perth Office:

Kaye Treacy (Numeracy Consultant)

Tel:          (08) 9441 1649
Email:      ktreacy@ais.wa.edu.au
Fax:         (08) 9244 2786
Mob:        041 6338 992

Mandy Corkill (Numeracy Consultant)

Tel:          (08) 9441 1682
Email:     mcorkill@ais.wa.edu.au
Fax:         (08) 9244 2786
Mob:        045 7759 587

Esperance Office:

Shirley Riley (Numeracy Consultant)

Tel:          (08) 9075 4475
Email:      sriley@ais.wa.edu.au
Mob:        0457767138