Number Talks Workshop

During the holiday break we ran a workshop on Number Talks. This was attended by 30 teachers and principals from 10 schools as well as Maths advisors from the Wellington region. We wanted to share what we have been doing at Worser Bay because it has a big impact on student engagement and achievement. 

What does developing a Mathematical Community of Inquiry mean to us? 

• Mathematics is a creative and challenging real world activity.

• Positive beliefs about mathematical ability are essential.

• Maths has to be visual and collaborative; with time and strategies to investigate, discuss, explore concepts and reflect.

At Worser Bay School, we have been inspired by the work of Jo Boaler who is a professor at Stanford University. She provides resources and ideas to help students get excited about Maths. 

"You have probably heard people say they are just bad at math, or perhaps you yourself feel like you are not “a math person.” Not so, says Stanford mathematics education professor Jo Boaler, who shares the brain research showing that with the right teaching and messages, we can all be good at math. Not only that, our brains operate differently when we believe in ourselves. Boaler gives hope to the the mathematically fearful or challenged, shows a pathway to success, and brings into question the very basics of how our teachers approach what should be a rewarding experience for all children and adults."

For a Number Talk to be successful, students need to be respectful in discussion. We have co-constructed (with our students) the rights and responsibilities for discussion in a Number Talk. 

This is how a Number Talk works...

We asked the students about Number Talks...

Using our Fingers in Maths

All of us at WBS have embarked on an online Maths Course with Stanford University.  Jo Boaler, the professor, explains a bit about why it's important for kids to be able to use their fingers in Maths. 

"Research tells us that it is very important for students to develop ‘finger discrimination’ that is, for students to know their fingers really well. Evidence from both behavioral and neuroscience studies shows that when people receive training on ways to perceive and represent their own fingers, they develop better representations of their fingers, which leads to higher mathematics achievement."

Here is an article going into it a bit more if you're interested in the science and research behind some of what we are doing: Article about why kids should use their fingers in Maths

This week in Maths we have been exploring our fingers, beginning to learn the names of the fingers and the difference between our left and right. 

Here we are exploring finger mazes with both our left and right hands, having to match our finger to the colour line.

 

  

  

Stay tuned for more around how we use our hands and fingers to help us with maths!