Did you realise how important vocabulary is to understanding maths? Consider these words and how they are used.
| Word | Everyday Meaning | Maths Meaning |
| even | Smooth something out | Divisible by two |
| odd | Something a little different | Not divisible equally by two |
| mean | unkind | The average of a set of numbers |
| sum/some | A few | The result of addition |
| table | A piece of furniture | A way to organise data |
This is the kind of thing that the primary teachers have been learning to notice, and then bring intentionally to students, in the extended training we have engaged in throughout the year with the Australian Independent Schools NSW Primary Numeracy Project (PNP). Reviewing and refreshing our curriculum offerings is an ongoing task in a Steiner school. We strive to meet the children ‘where they are at’ in this current age using knowledge of best practices to support us. The PNP is helping us do just that. The focus for the first half of the year is developing a practice called ‘Daily Review’. A regular math review that is a short, focused session designed to consolidate previously learned concepts and build fluency in essential maths skills. It’s a high-impact teaching strategy that strengthens neural connections, improves problem-solving, and boosts student confidence in math. We are finding that students are enjoying these sessions more and more as we gain skills in delivering the review in a way that is meaningful and engaging for students.
Teaching maths has changed so much in the last decade. It is more dynamic and hands-on than it used to be, and this will be our focus for PNP training in the second half of the year. There is an understanding that repetition, practice and experiential learning are all essential in helping students build their math’s capacity. The teaching staff have been enthusiastic about this process and are keen to bring our new understanding to the children in our classes.
We hope that parents are just as enthusiastic about maths and we aim to have a parent session to help parents assist their child with maths at home in Term 3. Watch this space!
Jeddah Teasdale – Deputy Principal Early Childhood and Primary School