10MAT - MATHEMATICS

Year 9 and Year 10 courses teach the basic concepts of Mathematics. There is an emphasis on maintenance and development of skills. These courses provide the groundwork for further study in Mathematics at senior levels, and develop skills to aid in the analysis and solution of mathematical problems met in everyday life.

Mathematics is the abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts (pure mathematics), or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied mathematics). In the first year of study at Wellington College we provide opportunities for you to:

• develop flexibility and creativity in applying mathematical ideas and techniques to unfamiliar problems arising in everyday life, and develop the ability to reflect critically on the methods they have chosen 

• become effective participants in problem-solving teams, learning to express ideas, and to listen and respond to the ideas of others 

• develop the skills of presentation and critical appraisal of a mathematical argument or calculation, use mathematics to explore and conjecture, and learn from mistakes as well as successes 

• develop the characteristics of logical and systematic thinking, and apply these in mathematical and other contexts, including other subjects of the curriculum

• become confident and competent users of information technology in mathematical contexts 

• develop the skills and confidence to use their own language, and the language of mathematics, to express mathematical ideas 

• develop the knowledge and skills to interpret written presentation of mathematics 

Topics Covered

• Number: develop an understanding of numbers, the ways they are represented, and the quantities for which they stan

• Algebra: develop the ability to think abstractly and to use symbols, notation, and graphs and diagrams to represent and communicate mathematical relationships, concepts, and generalisations

• Measurement: develop knowledge and understanding of systems of measurement and their use and interpretation

• Geometry: gain a knowledge of geometrical relations in two and three dimensions, and recognise and appreciate their occurrence in the environment

• Statistics & Probability: recognise appropriate statistical data for collection, and develop the skills of collecting, organising, and analysing data, and develop the ability to estimate probabilities and to use probabilities for prediction

Arithmetic, Algebraic Skills and Problem Solving will be maintained and developed. Geometry, Measuerment and Statistics will be studied, and Trigonometry will be seen for the first time. 

In Year 10 you will complete application based problems and will ensure that they communicate their answers clearly using correct mathematical language. 

You will develop mathematical reasoning skills, pattern spotting and creative problem solving skills.

In completing Year 10 Mathematics you will have covered the majority of skills for Year 11 and will be preparing to apply them to higher level questions.

You will learn independent work habits and self management in a mathematics environment.

You will develop the ability to communicate clearly using correct mathematical language and will be able to use this language to aid solving new problems.

A good attitude and a willingness to work hard, ask questions and actively participate in learning opportunities.

Learning Progression Assessments

Formative and summative assessments take place throughout the year. You will be advised of the dates by your mathematics teacher. There will be multiple in-class checkpoints throughout the term. There will also be a numeracy corequisite assessment in Term 3. Information will be sent home about this throughout the year.

Learning Progressions are an evaluation of student progress using various modes of learning as evidence (not just a one-off test).  They are based on the New Zealand Curriculum, and show the level at which a student is demonstrating knowledge or skills.  Our Learning Progressions Framework maps out students’ development as they move through Years 9 - 11.  

Within each subject, at the end of a phase of learning (ie. topic, unit or skill), students will be evaluated using these indicators: Emerging, Developing, Proficient, Advancing.  For more information about what these mean, please see the Year 9 - 11 section of our website.