Natural Maths Strategies

This series provides the core knowledge and understanding of the "big ideas" or concepts students require to become confident and enthusiastic maths users. This book is organised into twelve units of work based on the current research into the developmental sequence in which students generally acquire those concepts. Each unit is divided into five sections: mental routines - 10-minute lesson starters with suggested closed and open questions designed t engage students and arouse their enthusiasm; problematised situations - challenges that encourage students to work mathematically with open-ended "real-life" situations and construct their own ideas - these lessons include a reflection session where mathematical language is used to describe successful strategies and more formal methods are introduced and demonstrated; games - fun activities designed to reinforce the strategies developed in each unit; investigations - open-ended investigations to encourage students to test and extend their skills; and assessment activities - consolidation activities that students should readily accomplish at the end of each unit. The series encourages the use of readily available concrete materials and is supported by over 50 photocopiable activity sheets and task cards. The CD-ROM included with this book is designed to help teachers to plan and personalise their maths program and to record individual student's progress. This series is a complete school program, which also encourages the use of supplemental resources to ensure a variety of maths teaching and learning experiences.