Essential Mathematics
Subject Description
Mathematics teaching and learning practices range from practising essential mathematical routines to develop procedural fluency, through to investigating scenarios, modelling the real world, solving problems and explaining reasoning.
Students will benefit from studies in Essential Mathematics because they will develop skills that go beyond the traditional ideas of numeracy. This is achieved through a greater emphasis on estimation, problem-solving and reasoning, which develops students into thinking citizens who interpret and use mathematics to make informed predictions and decisions about personal and financial priorities. Students will see mathematics as applicable to their employability and lifestyles, and develop leadership skills through self-direction and productive engagement in their learning.
Essential Mathematics’ major domains are Numbers, Data, Location and time, Measurement and Finance.
Essential Mathematics benefits students because they develop skills that go beyond the traditional ideas of numeracy.
Students develop their conceptual understanding when they undertake tasks that require them to connect mathematical concepts, operations and relations. They learn to recognise definitions, rules and facts from everyday mathematics and data and to calculate using appropriate mathematical processes.
Students interpret and use mathematics to make informed predictions and decisions about personal and financial priorities. This is achieved through an emphasis on estimation, problem-solving and reasoning, which develops students into thinking citizens.
What will students learn?
In studying Essential Mathematics students will cover 4 core topics:
Unit 1: Number, Collecting Data and Graphs
Unit 2: Money, travel and Interpreting Data
Unit 3: Measurement, scales and Representing data
Unit 4: Bi-variate Graphs, Chance and loans.
How will students be assessed?
Students will complete the following assessments:
Internal Assessment: 4 assessments per year, with a 25% result for each
Note that final exit standards will be on outcomes of year 12 assessments only.
Year 11:
2 x Problem-Solving and Modelling Tasks (PSMT) one per unit
2 x Internal Examination
Year 12:
2 x Problem-Solving and Modelling Tasks (PSMT) one per unit
1 x Internal Examination
1 x Common Internal Assessment (CIA)
Where can Essential Mathematics lead?
Essential Mathematics is an Applied subject suited to students who are interested in pathways beyond Year 12 that lead to tertiary studies, vocational education or work. A course of study in Essential Mathematics can establish a basis for further education and employment in the fields of trade, industry, business and community services. Students will learn within a practical context related to general employment and successful participation in society, drawing on the mathematics used by various professional and industry groups.
What's great about Essential Mathematics?
Students will see mathematics as applicable to their employability and lifestyles and develop leadership skills through self-direction and productive engagement in their learning. They will show curiosity and imagination and appreciate the benefits of technology. Students will gain an appreciation that there is rarely one way of doing things and that real-world mathematics requires adaptability and flexibility.
The mathematics investigations are relevant, real-life scenarios that students will enjoy. Examples include personal budgets for moving out of home, borrowing money for buying a car, and measurements and scale drawings for renovations.