MathsTalk by AMSI Schools

Changes to the Australian Curriculum - Maths

MathsTalk returns with a two-part podcast featuring host, Leanne McMahon talking to maths leader and classroom teacher Cass Lowry about the proposed changes to the Australian Curriculum. In today's teabreak, we discuss the rationale behind the changes and the 'core concept organisers.' As usual, the discussions centre around our classroom and consultancy experience and we certainly welcome your input and insights.
The ACARA Maths Curriculum review documentation: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/consultation/mathematics/
AMSI's response to the draft Curriculum: https://amsi.org.au/2021/07/08/amsi-responds-to-the-acara-australian-curriculum-review-consultation/
Open letter to ACARA organised by Greg Ashman (signatories included) https://mathematicalcrap.com/2021/06/02/open-letter-to-acara-and-the-acara-board/ 
Twitter: @AMSISchools
Facebook: @amsischools
CRA Model (discussed in Multiplication Matters podcast): https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-t28tv-1091dc2
Number Sense Podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fwt6r-dffa7f
 

Interventions in Maths

Host Leanne McMahon and guest Cass Lowry talk about one of the most asked questions on Maths Education Social Media, "What intervention program is best?" We discuss the value of intervention in general and look at a couple of specific examples that we have used.
Resources:
English Research into the best use of Teaching assistants: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/tools/guidance-reports/making-best-use-of-teaching-assistants/
PISA and TIMMS Data: https://www.acer.org/au/timss https://www.acer.org/au/pisa 
Parent Information: https://calculate.org.au/
18 x 5 video: https://www.youcubed.org/resources/stanford-onlines-learn-math-teachers-parents-number-talks/
Number Sense Podcast: https://mathstalk.podbean.com/e/developing-number-sense-in-young-children/
MAI: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/maths/assessment/Pages/mathsgrowthpoints.aspx

ReRelease Multiplication Matters Part 1

The release of the draft of the new Australian Curriculum in Mathematics has caused quite a stir. While this will be discussed in our next episode, we thought it timely to rerelease one of our most popular podcasts (edited for a quicker listen). It looks at why 'learning your tables' is not enough and how teachers can become more familiar with multiplicative thinking.
Host Marcus Garrett and AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Leanne McMahon discuss the difference between ‘knowing multiplication facts’ and ‘multiplicative thinking’. They chat about the developmental sequence of multiplication-related concepts from the early years through to the middle years in the Australian maths curriculum.
RELATED LINKS: 
Download Transcript
Multiplication Part 1
Multiplication Part 2
Multiplication Part 3
Multiplication and Division
Multiplication of Whole Numbers
Multiples, Factors and Powers

Rerelease - Fluency in Mathematics (Nov. 2020)

With all the talk about NAPLAN, it seems like a great time to revisit the idea of fluency.
Mathstalk will be back with new episodes in 2 weeks.
Host Leanne McMahon is joined by AMSI Outreach Officer and MathsTalk Twitter chat host, Cass Lowry to discuss the idea of Mathematical Fluency. This conversation stems from a #MathsTalk Twitter chat on the same topic held on November 12th 2020 that led to spirited debate and some great ideas. Links and resources can be found  below and at www.Calculate.org.au
Wakelet Collection #MathsTalk Fluencyhttps://wke.lt/w/s/x92941
Jo Boaler (@joboaler) article: Fluency without Fear https://www.youcubed.org/evidence/fluency-without-fear/
Katherin Cartwright (@kath_cartwright) research paper: Analyzing students’ communication and representation of mathematical fluency during group tasks https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0732312320300857?dgcid=author
Primary Learning Website: https://primarylearning.com.au/
Greg Fletcher (@gfletchy): Developing Fact Fluency Through Context https://summit.makemathmoments.com/talks/developing-fact-fluency-through-context/
Dan Finkel (@MathforLove): Number Talks https://mathforlove.com/lesson/number-talks/
Ollie Lovell (@ollie_lovell) book: Cognitive Load Theory in Action https://www.amazon.com.au/Oliver-Lovell/e/B08HRPFLDP/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Calculate resources to help build mathematical fluency
Bead Strings: https://calculate.org.au/2018/12/10/bead-strings/
See & Say: https://calculate.org.au/2018/10/03/see-say/
ROWCO: https://calculate.org.au/2018/09/26/rowco/
Bunny Ears: https://calculate.org.au/2018/09/24/bunny-ears/

Conceptual Understanding Part 2

Nadia and Leanne continue their discussion about teaching mathematics for conceptual understanding. Today they delve into how Patterns and Algebra can be taught conceptually and then they get practical; discussing the thought process that goes into planning units.
For suggestions comments and ideas, please contact us at @AMSISchools on Twitter or Choosemaths@amsi.org.au
Resources from the podcast:
www.calculate.org.au
Patterns Lesson: https://calculate.org.au/year7/ 
Supporting Australian Mathematics Project: http://www.amsi.org.au/ESA_middle_years/Year7/Year7_md/Year7main.html 
Geometry: https://calculate.org.au/measurement-and-geometry/
Algebra tiles: https://calculate.org.au/2019/03/27/algebratiles/
 

Rerelease: The Equals sign

As a response to feedback on our recent Podcast, Conceptual Understanding, we have rereleased the podcast we referred to, "The Equals sign"
Host Claire Embregts grabs a cuppa with AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Leanne McMahon to talk about the importance of the equals sign in Mathematics. We chat about the common misconceptions behind the equals sign and what teachers can do to avoid or rectify these misconceptions. Much of our discussion centres around a presentation from Max Stephens at the MERGA conference in 2006, a paper from which can be found here. https://merga.net.au/Public/Publications/Annual_Conference_Proceedings/2006_MERGA_CP.aspx
Find more at www.Calculate.org.au

Conceptual Understanding: Primary to Secondary

In our first 'live' podcast for 2021, host, Leanne McMahon talks to Mathematics Consultant Nadia Abdelal. They discuss the importance of teaching for conceptual understanding, and why it needs to be extended into secondary classes. This is a must-listen for primary and secondary teachers alike and will hopefully stimulate some real discussion in staffrooms across Australia and the world. It is the first in a 2-part series on conceptual understanding in Mathematics and next week we will continue our discussion with a dive into teaching algebra for conceptual understanding.
Contact us at www.calculate.org.au 
Nadia's website: https://emmaths.com.au/index.html
An NCTM article about teaching Maths for conceptual understanding: https://www.nctm.org/Publications/Mathematics-Teaching-in-Middle-School/2018/Vol24/Issue1/Promoting-a-Conceptual-Understanding-of-Mathematics/ 
Marcus discusses the importance of Context in Mathematics: https://calculate.org.au/2016/02/19/2498/
Jo Boaler highlights that learning number facts is not all about procedure, and in fact a conceptual approach is more effective: https://www.youcubed.org/evidence/fluency-without-fear/ 

2021 Re-Release. Starting the Year. What Classrooms need.

Due to popular demand we are re-releasing the episodes from 2020 that look at starting the year in Mathematics. We'll be back very soon with fresh, exciting episodes for the new year.
In the first Mathstalk series of the year, the team looks at starting the year in Mathematics. From setting up your classroom with resources, planning and delivering the best Maths lessons you can, to our favourite games, warmups and fun routines. In today's episode, host Marcus Garrett talks to Cass Lowry (primary) and Leanne McMahon (secondary) about what Maths Classrooms need. They discuss must-have manipulatives in both primary and secondary classrooms and also look at On-line resources and Text books.
Related Links:
Classroom Resources
Counting Charts
Bead Strings
Cuisenaire Rods
Pattern Blocks
Decimats
Linear Arithmetic Blocks (LAB) [External link]
Decimats: Helping students make sense of decimal place value (Anne Roche) [Article]
Deciwire: An inexpensive alternative for constructing linear representations of decimals (Jenny Young-Loveridge & Judith Mills) [Article]