Primary Mathematics Education2 Extension

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

85 hours

Successful selection for Primary Maths Extension

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 Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills 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

Teacher candidates will develop pedagogical content knowledge for the effective teaching and learning of the following mathematics strands from Foundation to Level 6:

• Content Strand: Measurement and Geometry
• Proficiency Strands: Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving, Reasoning.

Within this content strand, Candidates will critically analyse the development of key concepts in primary mathematics and identify critical progression points for children’s learning. They will consider typical conceptions and misconceptions held by children, their likely causes, diagnostic tools to diagnose them and teaching strategies for changing them.

They will review and critique resources for primary mathematics and examine tasks designed to achieve specific learning outcomes in these strands.

Candidates will consider research evidence related to selected key issues of teaching Measurement and Geometry. They will examine cognitive and affective characteristics of mathematics classrooms that encourage deep learning in these content areas and in the proficiency strands.

The links between mathematics and language will be examined, including a focus on strategies and resources for teaching those for whom English is a second language. They will examine the current Scope and Sequence (Australian Curriculum: Mathematics) and relate to various developmental pathways in the primary years, such as multiplicative thinking. Teacher candidates will develop a mathematics unit in Measurement and Geometry for use in primary mathematics classrooms.

On completion of this subject, with respect to the strands above, teacher candidates will be able to:

• Demonstrate mastery of the topics and their everyday applications which are relevant to primary teaching or are necessary to be personally numerate;
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of how children construct mathematical knowledge;
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of a range of classroom teaching techniques;
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of how children think and learn;
• Demonstrate an outstanding ability to develop teaching activities and relate them to learning outcomes that cater for a diverse range of students;
• Demonstrate understanding of alternative approaches to the teaching of mathematics across a primary school; and
• Effectively engage students, parents, community members, and professional colleagues to support student learning and development.

There are two assessment tasks, both assessment tasks must be passed:

• A report of a formative assessment task in one Measurement or Space topic (1000 words) due mid-semester, 50%
• A report of a formative assessment task in a second Measurement or Space topic (1000 words) due at end of semester, 50%

There are two hurdle requirements:

• Completion of 8 weekly tasks, 0%
• A mastery level pass (80%) of a Year 7 Measurement & Geometry Test, 0%

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

Reys, R.E., Lindquist, M.L., Lambdin, D.V., Smith, N.L., Rogers, A., Falle, J., Frid, S., & Bennett, S. (2012). Helping Children Learn Mathematics, 1st Australian Edition, Melbourne: John Wiley.

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 teaching practices;
• 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;
• Work in teams with skills in cooperation, communication and negotiation;
• Be responsible, resilient, self-regulating and independent of mind;
• Have a conscious personal and social values base.