Primary Mathematics Education 1

This subject is not offered in 2015.

85 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject provides an orientation to teaching mathematics in Victorian primary schools. Teacher candidates will develop pedagogical content knowledge for the effective teaching and learning of the topic Number from Prep to Year 6. They will consider Victorian curriculum documents and resources, lesson planning, classroom assessment, effective use of resources, and the importance of a balanced curriculum incorporating concepts, skills, applications and problem solving.

A research-informed analysis of the development of children’s mathematical understanding will provide insight into teaching strategies to cater for children’s individual differences and personalise their learning.

Teacher candidates will consider important pedagogical issues such as: questioning, selection of good examples, representations and models of mathematical ideas. By widening their appreciation of exemplary mathematics teaching, teacher candidates are expected to develop reflective mathematics teaching practices.

On completion of this subject, teacher candidates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of Number in the primary mathematics curriculum;
• Demonstrate an understanding of how children construct mathematical knowledge in Number;
• Demonstrate knowledge of a range of teaching techniques to help school students develop mathematical understanding in Number;
• Demonstrate an ability to assess school students’ understanding in Number.

There are two assessment tasks:

• a 2 hour examination at end of semester, 60%
• a report (800 words) due mid semester, 40%

There are two hurdle requirements:

• Completion of weekly tasks.
• Both items of assessment must be satisfactorily completed.

Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

Zevenbergen, R., Dole, S., & Wright, R. J. (2004). Teaching Mathematics in Primary Schools. Allen & Unwin
De Klerk, J. (2007) Illustrated Maths Dictionary (4th edition). Pearson.
Collection of readings

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, teacher candidates will have the knowledge, skills and understanding to enable them to:

• Be skilled communicators who can effectively articulate and justify their practices as knowledgeable agents of change.
• Be flexible and able to adapt to change through knowing how to learn;
• Understand the significance of developing their practice on the basis of research evidence;
• Be independent of mind, responsible, resilient, self-regulating.