Maths @ Home
MATHS CURRICULUM MESSAGE FROM MR MARK GLEESON, TEACHER AT LUMEN CHRISTI
This video is an outline of The Prep (Foundation) Curriculum as outlined in the Victorian Curriculum
This video explains the innovative Maths Program known as PASMAP that Lumen Christi is implementing in Grade Prep
Above is a link to a range of online resources that have been available to our students during 2020-21 Remote Learning at Home. Browse through them and see what you can find that is suitable for your child.
It includes links to:
Videos and booklets that demonstrate the strategies Lumen Christi teaches our students to use in Mathematics
Links to Maths Websites and Online Maths Games to use with students from Prep - 6
A collection of Dice, Card and Pen and Paper Maths games in graphical and video form that are designed for revision and practice of strategies
A collection of virtual manipulative tools that are online alternatives to concrete materials we use to learn Maths
There are also links to information about Statewide Competitions Lumen Christi participates in each year.
MATHS AT HOME
Parents are their child's FIRST educator. There is a lot that you can do to develop your children's understanding of Mathematics just by doing simple every day activities that involve counting, grouping, comparing, measuring, describing and exploring relationships. Parents can do this because Maths is NOT a school subject that teachers teach; Maths is a natural part of our lives that we use every day.
The resources included here are a sample of ideas for parents to explore with their children as soon as they are ready to explore. I'm sure you and your children can use your imagination to do even more!
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EVERYDAY MATHS VIDEOS
Something that cannot be underestimated is the joy of reading a picture story book to your child at any time of the day. What we don't realise is how many great books out there are about Mathematics. Picture story books are a great way to explore maths concepts. Sometimes it's enough to read the book and engage in the story. Other times its a great launchpad into exploring ideas introduced in the book with concrete materials. Here are two websites (click on the image to access the site) that are great resources for finding picture story books that have maths related stories.
Before buying a book - and reading a physical book is always the best way - I always recommend searching YouTube as a great number of these books can be viewed as Read alongs online. This way you "can try before you buy". Click here to go to collection of video versions of some great Maths based picture story books
1. MAV BOOKSHOP
MAVSHOP - The Maths Association of Victoria (Lumen Christi is a member of the Association and a certified MAV Maths Active Schoo)l has an online bookshop that has an extensive list of recommended books that explore mathematics in engaging stories. There are cheaper prices on other sites but the link is provided as a starting point for a booklist
2. NZ MATHS
NZMaths has a section dedicated to Maths related Picture Books organised in Levels and Maths areas. Don't be afraid to go outside the Level - I think a great way to explore maths is to expose children to ideas in picture book form and see how far they can go for fun.
3. STAY AT HOME EDUCATOR
STAY AT HOME EDUCATOR website has a large selection of books displayed in different categories and links each book to Amazon for purchase
Number Blocks is a great program on ABC iView and YouTube ( click on links to watch) for exploring number relationships from 0 to 1000. It'[s main characters are the numbers 1-10 and are represented as a combination of blocks that equal to their number. Each episode only lasts 5 minutes so it is easy to maintain interest in the content.
The show explores how the numbers relate to each other and follows very closely to the way schools teach Number today. It is a great introduction into all the areas of Number based Mathematics in the junior grades.
It starts with building up to what makes numbers to 5, then 10, the teen numbers, then multiples of 10 up to 100 and even 100s and 1000. It focuses on visual models of our numbers, introduces addition, subtraction, multiplication and division concepts, doubling, square numbers, place value (100s, 10s and 1s), arrays, sharing and groups in a fun way. I highly recommend parents watch this show along with their children not just to talk to them about numbers but to understand how we teach today.
SAMPLE EPISODES (YOUTUBE)
(the episodes are represented in reverse order on iView so click on more episodes and scroll down to the bottom so that you watch the show in correct order)
(You Tube sometimes combines episodes as themes about particular numbers or concepts)
The Maths Before Bed website presents a series of images with some simple questions to ask your child. The idea behnd is to pick one image each night before bed time to discuss with your child, an Maths alternative to a bedtime story.
The Same or Different Website uses images to explore similarities and differences between different representations of the same number concept. It encourages children to learn through critical thinking and comparison. It includes images for different age groups so choose what is appropriate for your child.
One of the best investments you can make for your son or daughter is LEGO.
These bricks open up a world of possibilities for exploring maths in a fun and engaging way. Click on the images on the right to investigate different ways you can use LEGO building to learn big Maths Ideas. Even getting your child to identify the brick by its peg number e.g. "get the 2 by 2" or "4 square brick" was a great start for my children in recognising numbers before they started school.
