Maths scores across Australia are in sharp decline. This, combined with professional fatigue, it’s important to remember there are several resources available to teachers.
The most recent results from the OECD’s program for international student assessment ranked Australia 29th out of 38 countries – a slip from 11th place 20 years ago. “You are, on average, 12 months behind now as an Australian student than you were 20 years ago,” commented The Hon Stuart Robert MP, Former Acting Minister for Education and Youth, when the results were released earlier this year. “No one can consider that acceptable,” he continued.
Casio Education Australia provide two valuable resources designed to build confidence and comfort in year six and year seven students as they move from primary to secondary mathematics. Smooth Mathematics is a hybrid printable/online supplementary resource, which targets the fundamental topics students have historically found difficult and Numerical Acumen helps students develop the mechanical basics of a mathematical mind.
SET YOUR STUDENTS UP FOR YEAR SEVEN TO 10 AND BEYOND
Developed by seasoned maths teachers, these resources provide teachers and tutors with interactive classroom activities, designed to supplement the Australian mathematics curriculum. Both resources are specifically designed to target the core of mathematics learning – setting students up for success in either general knowledge, revising and/or mastering the basics with or without using a calculator. Both resources also aim to set a level playing field where students can learn in any environment they feel comfortable – whether that be self- paced, competitive, online or printed – the programmes are designed to boost student confidence.
MORE ABOUT SMOOTH MATHEMATICS
Countless students need additional mathematics support as they move from primary to secondary school, and it’s often difficult to address the traditional difficulties of teaching and learning certain topics. Enter Smooth Mathematics. Smooth Mathematics was designed to bridge the gap between primary and secondary mathematics – targeting the topics students often find the most difficult to grasp, or, master, or perhaps always show little confidence (for example: fractions, decimals & percentages, geometry and more). Why certain topics? All Smooth Mathematics topics have been pinpointed to supplement the mathematics curriculum in the key areas known for poor student performance. At its core, this resource aims to support teacher delivery as well as student learning by using a hybrid of online and printable platforms. Teachers receive:
• Work-in booklets, complete with clear and concise explanations and carefully chosen practice questions.
• Online quizzes and problem-solving sets where each student’s scores are logged, and teachers can mark.
• The inaugural topic focuses on fractions, decimals, and percentages, with geometry to follow.
MORE ABOUT NUMERICAL ACUMEN
Numerical Acumen helps develop the mechanical basics of a numerical mind in each student by;
- Improving students’ accuracy with mental calculation.
- Improving students’ confidence in deciding when and when not to use a calculator. Helping students develop the mathematical basics of a numerical mind through online quizzes and instructional booklets.
- CASIO Education Australia achievement medals are available for various class and school levels.
Like Smooth Mathematics, Numerical Acumen offers a hybrid online and paper-based options to fit all learning environments, with access to the online game-like practice system, plus the option for teachers to track each student’s progress.
THE NUMERICAL ACUMEN CHALLENGE, GET INVOLVED!
Each year Numerical Acumen offers a free long- term challenge, spanning two terms, as these skills are best developed steadily over an extended period. CASIO Education achievement medals are available to at least three students in every class that takes part. Other awards for various class and school levels are also up for grabs.
To learn more about the challenge please visit: www.numericalacumen.com/the_challenge
HOW DO SCHOOL TEACHERS AND TUTORS ACCESS THESE RESOURCES?
These resources are freely available through Casio Education Australia’s Prime Schools Plus program.
For further information please visit, www.casioeducation.com.au
This article was first published in Education Matters Secondary Magazine, September 2022. To read the issue download it here.
