With the start of 2020 already underway, St John’s Maths staff are excited at the opportunities available to our students to really excel in their Mathematics.

It is so exciting that Years 7 and 8 will again follow a learning program (Maths Pathway) which

• is tailored to the individual needs of each student allowing each student to work at their own level.
• focuses on the growth of the individual student and not their peers
• gives regular fortnightly feedback to parents.

There have been several myths circulated about Maths Pathway. Here are two that continue to circulate.

Myth 1: Students are always on their computers.

The reality: Students do use their computers to access their individualised work (as do students in most other Maths classes) and complete questions in their workbooks so all working out and results are clearly visible for discussion with their teachers and peers. Homework is also completed in workbooks. However, for approximately 30% of class time students are doing Challenging or Rich Activities where they work collaboratively to solve problems and pose questions that lead to solutions.

Myth 2: The teacher’s don’t teach. They just sit at their desks.

The reality: Teachers have access to data that allows them to target specific skills with specific groups of students. They plan and implement a number of mini lessons for each lesson to help individuals with their own misunderstandings and mathematical struggles. As in all subjects, teachers first teach the students how to problem solve and be responsible for their own learning by empowering them to use various resources. If the students still require support then the teacher is always available.

Last year I put together a short video introducing parents to this program. Please view the video using this link.

Click here to view St John's video introducing Year 7 & 8 Maths

The 2018 data shown in the video was closely replicated in 2019. Additional information can be found at the Maths Pathway website. https://mathspathway.com/

The Maths Staff and school are seeing many benefits to the program including;

• Every Maths Pathway group has seen stronger student growth in NAPLAN tests from Year 7 to Year 9.
• Year 10 students now do a HSC National Minimum Standards test in Numeracy. Last year was the first Year 10 group through who had come through Maths Pathways. There was approximately a 90% reduction in the number of students who did not meet HSC National Minimum Standards.

 These results support the positive growth we are seeing in the classroom.

HOMESTUDY

As students have access to their own learning program they have homework to undertake each day. It is advised that students complete at least 15 minutes of maths homework every evening. Any issues that arise should be discussed with the teacher the next day. If you are unsure about the nature of this please speak with your child’s Maths teacher.

There will be several other opportunities for students to further explore the wonders and joys of Mathematics. Look out for invitations to join the Maths Olympiad team (Years 7, 8, 9 and 10), ICAS Maths Competition (all years) and Maths in Surveying excursion (10MT.1 or 10MT.2).

FREE MATHS TUITION FOR ST JOHN’S STUDENTS