Numeracy Across the Curriculum

1
Numeracy Across the Curriculum

• Chris Olley
• chris_at_education-interactive.co.uk

2
What does it amount to?

• A consistent approach across the school to
  support all students develop their (mental)
  numeracy.
• A consistent mathematics across the school
• Integrated problem solving involving
  mathematical methods

3
217 168 23 ? 6 232 ? 8 147 154 231 ? 7
In your head!
4
Albert Einstein(1879-1955)

• Do not worry about your difficulties in
  mathematics, I assure you that mine are greater.

5
Is it an add miss?

• Your colleagues were taught at school to look at
  the operation to decide the method.
• In the NNS you look at the numbers.

6
Numeracy Support

• Students are practiced in ways of thinking that
  they have learned through the National Numeracy
  Strategy.
• They can be quickly prompted into these ways of
  thinking with open questions.
• Everyone can use mental methods if they can find
  numbers they are comfortable with.

7
Questions

• Can you see numbers close to these that would
  be easier to deal with?
• Would it be easier the other way round?
• Could you break it up and work on the bits
  separately?
• Could you use doubles or halves?
• Can you see an easier problem with the same
  answer as this one?
• Would it help to jot down a number
  half way?
• Would it help to use a number line?

8
The Message

• If students need to solve number problems in your
  lessons, support them to solve them mentally.
• Dont explain to them how you would do it
  encourage them to reflect on their own knowledge
  about numbers.
• Dont hand them a calculator! (Plan your
  calculator use)

9
An Inset to the staff

• Presentation at www.themathszone.com
• Ask chris_at_education-interactive.co.uk

10
We hate bad maths!

• Which department does the most maths?
• To what extent is maths done the same?
• What bad maths do we want to sort out round the
  school?

11
Science in Maths
12
Maths in Science
13
The Handbook

• Based on agreed principles
• Within the maths department
• Within other departments (through the NAC working
  group)
• Examples
• Deptford Green Guide
• Leicestershire NAC Policy

14
Real Problem Solving in Mathematics

• Flaubert, Gustave (1821-1880)Since you are now
  studying geometry and trigonometry, I will give
  you a problem. A ship sails the ocean. It left
  Boston with a cargo of wool. It grosses 200 tons.
  It is bound for Le Havre. The mainmast is broken,
  the cabin boy is on deck, there are 12 passengers
  aboard, the wind is blowing East-North-East, the
  clock points to a quarter past three in the
  afternoon. It is the month of May. How old is the
  captain?

15
Maths Solves Problems Around the School
10cm
50cm
1cm
10cm
You are a lab technician. You are required to cut
the large sheet of metal into as many of the
smaller strips as possible. How many can you
make?
16
Where are real problems posed ?

• Biology survival strategies in mammals
• DT Textiles Islamic Art
• PHSE smoking
• Geography demographic change
• ICT Graphics programming and geometry

17
How does it happen

• Seize the moment
• Curriculum mapping
• Activity weeks
• Maths days!
• Get it in both schemes of work

18
Mechanisms

• SMT support
• NAC working group
• Inset time, departmental meeting time, staff
  meeting time
• Access to assemblies, tutor groups, newsletters,
  poster campaigns
• Timetabling input

19
The Development Plan

• I suggest 3 items
• Support mental maths
• Ensure accurate maths practices
• Maximise opportunities for cross curricula
  working
• Staffing, allocated time, responsibility, success
  criteria, monitoring, specified timescale, costs.

(This is the draft policy)
20
Implementing the plan

• Meetings schedules
• NAC working group
• Maths department meetings
• Other department meetings
• Whole school inset
• Staff meetings
• Assemblies
• Book your slots in July!

21
Policy into Practice

• Meeting 1 agree an implementation strategy and
  success criteria.
• Meeting 2 review practice and modify.
• Meeting 3 finalise practice and agree for policy
  document.
• Book all 3 in advance ...

22
Outcomes

• A clearly stated simple policy
• Appropriate documents to support the policy
• How to support mental maths
• A good maths guide
• for teachers
• for students
• Cross curricula projects in department schemes of
  work