At Templestowe Valley Primary School we want all children to be confident problem solvers and enthusiastic Mathematicians. Students are given lots of opportunities to explore and investigate Mathematics in their everyday lives. They also learn the ‘language’ of Mathematics and how it applies across other learning areas at school and in their lives more broadly.

Maths is very ‘hands-on’ in the classroom. During Mathematics lessons students use materials, such as blocks, dice, playing cards, counters, Lego, Play-Doh and many other things to help them solve mathematical problems and reinforce their skills and learning. Students are taught specific strategies and skills, which enable them to work confidently and independently to solve problems, work towards finding an appropriate strategy and actively participate in the language of Mathematics.

The three strands of learning taught throughout the school are Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability in line with the Victorian Curriculum. Teachers use The Mathematics Workshop to guide the planning and implementation of the maths lesson. They begin with an introduction to establish the learning intention and success criteria, set the scene for student learning activities designed to allow students to learn and develop their skills and knowledge, as well as participate in a variety of hands on tasks. Explicit teaching of skills and strategies including problem solving skills are an integral part of learning. Teachers are regularly assessing students’ skills and understandings both informally and formally. Lessons conclude with a reflection. It is at this time that the student reflects on the learning intention and success criteria and how they have worked towards achieving success or questioning areas of concern.

Our web based computer resources, Matrific, Mathletics and Problemo allow students the opportunity to reinforce their mathematical skills both at home and at school. These provide support for students needing additional assistance and enable extension for gifted students. Open-ended tasks and problem solving opportunities are provided to extend students as well as participation in programs such as ICAS, Math Olympiad and Maths Games.