Numeracy

Vision & Philosophy

Quarters Primary School’s Numeracy Program is evidence-based and relies on students developing understanding, fluency, problem solving and reasoning when engaging in planned learning opportunities. Educators will use assessments, learning continuums and the Victorian Curriculum to plan differentiated learning opportunities; enabling our learners to be prepared to apply their mathematical knowledge to solve problems in the real world.

We recognise that our Numeracy teaching and learning needs to include ‘real world’ links, where students have the opportunity to model their understanding using a range of hands-on learning materials and developed strategies. By allowing students to manipulate materials throughout the year levels, they are able to better understand mathematical concepts. Educators will follow the Quarters Primary School Instructional Model (see diagram) to facilitate predictability and structure for numeracy lessons.

Numeracy experiences will involve explicit, guided & independent activities as well as Rich and Open-ended tasks, Number Talks and fluency activities. Formative assessment and learning check-ins will allow our educators to be responsive to learners needs, inform planning and allow us to assess individual student growth. Educators will work collaboratively with their colleagues, share learnings, plan and celebrate achievements.

As teachers, we value that we, like our students, learn best when we are curious, take risks, have explicit instruction and scaffolded experiences. We will endeavour to encourage students to be accountable for their own learning through learning reflections and being responsible for tracking their own learning goals.

Students will be supported and encouraged to take responsibility for being active learners and directing their own learning experiences through collaboration, questioning, risk taking and curiosity. This will be particularly evident during weekly Rich Task sessions.

We will strive to improve educational outcomes and foster a love of Numeracy, building the understanding that we are all mathematicians no matter where we are on our mathematical journey.