Inquiry Learning in Mathematics

Best practice in mathematics teaching is constantly evolving.  Since completing my Bachelor of Education and Master of Education, a lot has changed. Mathematics teaching and learning are a key focus for our school this year. I have been lucky enough to spend five days this year at Professional Learning days run by maths education experts from all around Australia.

New research has shown that students learn best when the learning is:

• Inquiry-based
• Authentic – related to real life
• Cooperative and collaborative
• Active
• Problem-based
• Meaningful
• Student-led
• Experiential
• Actively engaging
• Socially interactive
• Joyful

Influenced by Rob Vingerhoets, teachers at Swansea Primary School provide a strategies approach to problem-solving. Time is also spent explicitly unpacking the 'language' of mathematics, enhancing the learning of concepts and skills taught. In Prep and Grade One this year, we have spent a lot of time working on an area of mathematics that Professor Dianne Siemon called "Trusting the Count".

Trusting the count" is knowing that:
· when you're counting a set of objects, the last number you say represents the total number in the set.
· if you count a set of objects and then count it again, you'll get the same answer...every time.
· if you move around a set of objects but nothing is added or removed from the set, you'll get the same answer...every time.

The following video is an example of what a student-led maths inquiry looks like in our classroom. It has certainly changed from the maths worksheets I remember from my years in primary school. If you have any questions about supporting your child's maths learning at home, or about our current mathematics program, please speak to any of our teachers or principal, Kristy Hay.