Interpreting questions

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These activities support students in developing the skills needed to comprehend and interpret mathematical information and questions. This includes identifying question terms, removing superfluous information and interpreting visuals that accompany questions and texts.

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.

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.

The relevant Level 3 ACSF descriptors for numeracy are shown here to demonstrate how the skill of interpreting questions is assessed in the HSC minimum standard online test. The performance features identified show what a student is able to do in order to achieve at this level and are provided to support teachers to understand what is required to achieve a Level 3 in this skill.

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