Mathematics and Numeracy in the 21^st Century

Numeracy has never been more important. The rapidly evolving nature of knowledge, work and technology, demands stronger understanding, reasoning, strategic and problem-solving skills.

(https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/maths/Pages/evidence-and-research.aspx)

Mathematics learning and teaching at St Pius X being is being assisted by Lisa-Jane O’Connor to further strengthen our students’ mathematical abilities, to build their identity as mathematicians. And to recognise that they are powerful learners and users of Mathematics.

Mathematics is the science of patterns, rules and relationships.

For most of Term 1 Mathematics classes have spent time investigating patterns and the regularity of the unit of repeat. Importantly for the Early Years classes a substantial part of their time has been in ‘noticing’. Noticing mathematical attributes, to be precise. Those attributes being size, spatial and quantity. Before children can use pattern, they need other important skills, such as the ability to notice the attributes of objects, spaces and people around them. These skills provide the basis of their later investigations into different families of patterns generally classified as linear, growing, cyclic and symmetrical.

As students develop their knowledge and expertise in pattern and algebra, students in the primary years students will begin to explore growing patterns that have arithmetic (+ -) and geometric (x ¸) sequences.

 A geometric pattern might look like this:

1 ,2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64

The ‘rule’, ‘unit of repeat’ or ‘constant’ is that each term is found by doubling (x2) the previous number.

Eventually students will become proficient in creating, describing, representing and generalising all pattern families (linear, growing, cyclic and symmetrical). The basis of this focussed work on patterning and algebra will mean that all students at St Pius X will have developed strong, efficient mathematical skills and understanding to explore and find pattern in the other mathematical areas, Measurement, Geometry, Data and Number, which they will undertake throughout the year.

2009 Exploring Pattern and Algebra, PMA Pattern Resource