Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities

The teachers are currently undertaking Professional Development in this way of teaching Mathematics.  It is a research driven method that is based on 20 years of New Zealand studies and built around the best practices internationally. The focus is on explaining and justifying maths thinking. Research shows that this approach accelerates achievement. It involves a mixture of group work and independent work. 

Below are some examples of some maths that the children have been doing this week. You might like to have a look at it with your child. 

Can you represent your thinking?

Can you justify your reasoning?

New Entrant: Is this number sentence true or false?

4 + 3 = 7 + 4

Year 1/2: Are these equations true or false?

16 + 8 = 15 + 9

15 – 8 = 16 – 9

Year 3/4:

Can you find the missing numbers? 

Can you represent your thinking?

Can you justify your reasoning?

8 + 6 = __ + 53

5 + 19 = 36 + __ 

Year 5/6: 

Can you work together in your group to solve these number sentences?Make sure that you develop an explanation of how you solved these that everyone can share.18 + 7 = __ + 6__ + 16 = 29 + 14

Year 7/8:

True or False?

8 + 3 = -8 – 3

7 + 5 = 7 + -5

-7 + - 9 = -7 – -9

It is important that our children know how to represent their thinking (show) and how to justify their reasoning (explain). 

Good luck!