OUR PROBLEMS OF PRACTICE
Our rounds network has been undertaking extended professional learning for the key learning area of mathematics. This learning has been broad and deep. Take a look at our problems of practice, then explore the resources that are relevant to you.
One of our first rounds was about Mathematics and was hosted by Oakhill Drive PS in 2015. Over this and the next couple of rounds resources were created by our school teams. They are fabulous and cover: Working Mathematically, Catering for all Learners (a la Rhonda Bondi), Student Talk & Curiosity & Creativity in Maths.
Oakhill Drive's Problem of Practice was 'Are our students using the Mathematics Proficiencies of communicating, reasoning and problem solving ?' The teachers of ODPS followed up this round by sharing what worked best for them in teaching maths. They created a video to highlight strategies that were successful in their classrooms. Take a look! You'll find many practical ideas.
After a break exploring other aspects of teaching and learning our network came back to mathematics with an extended focus. In Term 2, 2022 Berowra PS's Problem of Practice highlighted two critical aspect of Mathematics - students' conceptual development in the Number strand and ability to use reasoning to think mathematically. The framework of Di Siemon was introduced and readings developed our participants' understanding of reasoning.
In Term 1, 2023 Oakhill Drive PS asked, "Are our mathematics lessons worthwhile?" This Problem of Practice built on Brookhart's Worthwhile Lesson Framework and continued the emphasis on identifying the big ideas/key concepts in maths. The professional learning readings deepened the network's understanding of mathematical reasoning and ensuring that tasks challenge all students.
Throughout 2023 the network took a deep dive into teaching maths. The John Purchase PoP in Term 3 was "Are our students engaged in complex problem-solving tasks?" The professional learning focused on the ideas of productive struggle and the development of tasks requiring reasoning and problem solving
In Term 1 2024 the team returned to Berowra PS. The PoP was, "Are our mathematics lessons rigorous?" The professional learning focused in developing questions that promoted reasoning and understanding. The observations also captured data about feedback - not just its absence or presence, but whether or not the feedback moved learning forward.
