Grammar for numeracy

Literacy in numeracy

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Description

These activities support students in better understanding what questions require of them by gaining an understanding of key grammatical and syntactical concepts common to numeracy-based texts and tasks. The activities support students in considering ideas like directionality, being able to identify imperative verb forms and the use of prepositions.

Teaching and learning activities

The resources below provide targeted teaching strategies to support student improvement in this skill.

Each downloadable lesson activity includes:

  • learning intentions

  • a list of required resources

  • a step-by-step lesson sequence

  • printable classroom materials

Select the download all icon to download all available activities or select each activity separately.

Imperatives Activities developing knowledge of how imperatives (commands) are used in numeracy, particularly in the formation of questions.
Prepositions Activities exploring the use and impact of prepositions (words that describe how one thing is related to another, e.g. under, before, from) in a numeracy context.
Syntax Exploring how the syntax (how sentences are put together) of written questions relates to equations and mathematical statements. Select here for an Accessible Word version
Download all (ZIP)Download the resource pack containing all activities

Relevance to the numeracy test marking

The level description for the achievement of Level 3 in the HSC minimum standard online numeracy test states:

‘Individuals performing at this level… interpret and comprehend mathematical information in written material, diagrams, charts and tables.’

The skill of successfully interpreting and comprehending mathematical information is implied in the various other skills described in the Level 3 Numeracy achievement level descriptions.

Connections with ACSF Level 3 descriptors

Numeracy Indicator 3.09: Selects and interprets mathematical information that may be partly embedded in a range of familiar, and some less familiar, tasks and texts.

Focus area: Explicitness of mathematical information

Level 3 performance features:

- Interprets and comprehends a range of everyday mathematical information that is embedded in familiar and routine texts

Numeracy Indicator 3.11: Uses a combination of both informal and formal oral and written mathematical language and representation to communicate mathematically

Focus area: Written mathematical language

Level 3 performance features:

  • Uses a combination of both informal and formal written mathematical language and symbols and general language to document and report on the mathematical and problem solving process and results

Focus area: Oral mathematical language

Level 3 performance features:

  • Uses a combination of both informal and formal oral mathematical and general language to present and discuss the mathematical and problem solving process and result