In this Issue; Jumbo Days; New Resources; Numeracy Standards; Fathom; Problem Solving; Software Websites. Yum!

Greetings Everyone. Sad news. Dave Boardman died early April from cancer. He and I worked together in Hokitika at Westland HS. Dave had a deep understanding of reasoning using mathematics and applied this to farming, fund raising and daily classroom teaching. You will remember him as mathematics advisor in 2001 and 2002.

CONSULTATION DAYS

These “JUMBO Days” happen this term. The dates are now Waihi and Tauranga 27th May, Rotorua 29th May, Hamilton 12th June,

Gisborne 15th June. Note the date change for Gisborne and cancellation of Thames 25th May.

A number of teachers have undergone training to lead these days in most subject areas. These facilitators will work with teachers in the regions on these days. The main emphasis must of course be on implementing the NZC and developing units and learning programmes.

See the NZAMT website for information on schemes. The link is top left on the main page under “Junior Maths Program”.(See diagram above)

My view. We know that students arrive in our schools with mathematical ability ranging from Level 1 in the curriculum to Level 6+. Most appear to be at Level 3 (about 60%, SNP data 2009). Our expectation is that students will be learning at Level 4. This suggests our schemes must be multi-level and our classroom practice must be flexible to cope with this wide range.

An overlooked implication of this data is that school systems must adapt by perhaps reducing class sizes in mathematics; increasing the frequency of lessons; adding resourcing to support the mathematics teachers; keeping a heavy focus on “being numerate”; and monitoring the data with a hawkish eye. Aim to make all students “multiplicative” ASAP! Perhaps we need to apply some creative thinking to help this “needy” situation.

National Numeracy Standards = “New Government” Initiative

Here, you can view updates and progress. Currently Cabinet is approving the standards for consultation. Google “National Numeracy Standards NZ”.

What has eventuated so far is a standard for each Year Level 1 through 8. It is expected that students will sit a test in each year and so be measured against the standard. These numeracy standards are linked to knowledge gained from the NZ Numeracy Project. I have questions about the “each year test”, the “expected level” and the “all strand content”.

It would be a wise action to take a curious interest in these standards and monitor the implementation. I would expect if they do the job all Year 9 students from 2010 onwards would be magically multiplicative and reasoning at Level 4. “Yeah Right!”

New Resources – PD Material

Two new books were published in February this year. They are “Teaching Secondary School Mathematics and Statistics: Evidence-based Practice. Volumes 1 and 2.” They are available from NZCER at a cost of $40 each. Fax NZCER 04 384 7933 or email to for more info.

These books are a collection of articles or chapters written in plain language (cf research jargon) over a wide range of very pertinent and practical “Math Education” topics. Each chapter is a separate topic and has “points to ponder” with questions. All chapters are research referenced and have web links and readings to explore.

I thoroughly recommend their purchase and use as material for professional development. Both are NZC savvy.

These two books sit neatly beside “Mathematics Education, Vol 1 and 2 (1994)” edited by Jim Neyland. The University of Victoria now uses them in new teacher training programmes.

• cc

• Jim Hogan, Adviser in Mathematics (Secondary)

School Support Services • 1358 Hinemoa Street • PO Box 935 • Rotorua

Phone 07 348 9079 • Fax 07 349 2214 • Mobile 027 278 5458 • Email

Revised NCEA Level Mathematics Standards for 2010

Progress on these standards is sluggish. NZAMT have been doing a lot of work in the generation of the standards and negotiations with NZQA and the Ministry of Education over the final details and form. There are many issues including duplication, calculators, conditions of assessment, sample assessments, specifications and levels to name a few. NZAMT have the contract to do this work on our behalf.

It appears that the intention is to make NCEA Level 1 based entirely upon Levels 5 and 6 in the curriculum. If you have not sat down yet, do so now. The implications of this are quite dramatic as you will quickly realize. No longer will the popular 8000 series and 5223, 5224,…, 5232 be able to be used to gain credits. How will this affect your “numeracy” and “NCEA” results? Is this what you want to happen?

While you are sitting down; the assessment questions for these new standards will be as in the 2009 specifications. That is, each question will be capable of establishing NA, A, M and E. Do you realize that students might need to experience these type of questions before November this year? As soon as I can get my hands on sample questions I will forward them to BOPMA and WMA. The implication here is students need to answer everything. Monitor NZAMT for these sample questions.

The new standards will be out for consultation, hopefully soon, so that all teachers may peruse and inspect. This is expected to happen along with implementing the NZC, daily teaching workload, and reading my newsletter. Miracles are OK; just do not expect the impossible yesterday. I expect slow progress on all of these matters as busy teachers concentrate on the tasks at hand and I have to concur, rightly so. Please forgive the cynicism in my words above but I do feel a bit more coordination and time are in order.

Note the new specifications for 2009 clearly allow CAS calculators to be used in senior Statistics examinations. The term “any technology” means just that. Get those specifications and read them carefully. Students need to know the rules of the game.

DRAFT GUIDELINES TO FURTHER ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITIES

See SecQUAL S2009/008 for the original information.

This is a consultation document and you may complete the feedback form at . There is a strong move to limit reassessment opportunities. Diversity of practice between schools and within departments has led to “credibility issues and perceptions of unfairness”. There are 4 specific guidelines that are being consulted. The glossary of terms is also interesting and would be of interest as PD at a math dept meeting. Deadline for submissions is May 8th, 2009.

NZQA PUBLICATIONS

Check out for latest NZQA publications. One that just arrived on my desk is “Understanding NCEA” DVD. This was in response to principal and parental request for better information.

Fathom – Statistical and Interactive Mathematics Software

Visit This software costs US$130 and is worth every cent. I am endeavoring to learn as much as I can about using this programme. It is a dream to use and analyze data. Getting data into Fathom is a “hand slide” from Xcel or import from a .csv file. All Census at School data is in this “comma separated value” form. Animation and exploration of variable or “slider” values is possible as well. This is one programme that I consider to be 21st Century. That is, everything is as I think it should happen and not as how someone else thinks it should happen. Learning to use the software is also an enjoyable and fun experience. Tell Microsoft that it can be done.

3D Graphing Software and Calculator, Math Explorer.

My C21st graphing favourite at But then you know this.

Geogebra, Math Explorer.

This is another C21st must have and it is FREE. Google “Geogebra” and see just what is available. Free is good! Free tutorials on line at U-tube as well.

NZMaths

Planning Assistant on This is the numeracy web site and has undergone extensive upgrades. Visit the planning assistant to see resources linked to mathematics concepts and ideas. This is how your scheme could be!

NZAMT.

Join now for $20 and give our head organization the support of many members. They need us all! Email .

Coming up

Term 2

Numeracy for Beginners

This is an introduction to numeracy and is an update to the fundamentals of the current Numeracy Project.

11th May Gisborne. Contact local SSS Office or 07 348 9075

BOPMA AGM May 5th

BOPMA Council 18th June Edgecumbe Col. 4:30pm.

WMA – check the website.

NCEA Best Practice Workshops.

for rego and more details.

Cost is $95.

Waihi and Tauranga July 14th, Taupo July 15th, Hamilton July 16th, Gisborne July 16th, Napier July 16th

Statistics, St Cuthbert’s College Collegiate Centre

NZ Curriculum Level 8: Models for Teaching the New Objectives.

Cost $250, Tuesday 26th May

Experiments, re-sampling, risk. Activities for your classroom supplied. Hands-on course.

Contact Heather Foy 09 520 8470.

Census at Schools – register now.

Math Week!!!! August

Term 3 Holidays

NZAMT Conference • PN

See

A Little Resource from MAV.

The task is to place the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in the boxes and make all three statements true. Do it now.

How many solutions are there?

What is a different solution?

Now prove that you have all of the solutions.

[Small hint , one way, if stuck = Odd/Even Parity].

Jim Hogan

SEC MATHEMATICS ADVISOR