Week 3: Numeracy Focus Areas

Introduction to Week 3

For an introduction to this week, watch the following video.

Weekly learning objectives

By the end of this week, you will be able to:

  • critically review each numeracy focus to synthesise your knowledge
  • demonstrate a robust understanding of the numeracy focus areas and their alignment to key state and national documents
  • identify examples of each numeracy focus in your setting
  • use appropriate language to make each numeracy focus explicit.

Activity: The problem—Numeracy Focus Areas

Purpose

A key aspect of being numerate is using mathematical knowledge flexibly in a range of contexts. Therefore, effective teachers of numeracy look for, and can identify, opportunities to build numeracy in their practice. This activity will help you identify examples of numeracy focus areas in everyday activities.

Task

  1. Consider the following scenario:
    • Shannon understands that when working out how much data she has on her mobile plan for the rest of the month, she is using mathematics. But she does not notice everyday events that require her mathematical capabilities. Convince Shannon of her frequent numerate behaviours through highlighting when and how she uses mathematics and mathematical language everyday.
  2. Review the list you created in Week 0 of the everyday activities that fosters students’ numeracy.
  3. List the mathematical concepts and/or skills inherent in these activities?.
  4. List examples of the associated mathematical language you would expect to hear that makes the numeracy focus explicit.

Hint: Draw on the information provided in the Numeracy Focus Areas in the Birth to Level Numeracy Guide to assist you.

Complete the activity in your reflective journal.