Numeracy ideas

for the

contemporary

Early Years’ classroom

Kay Cantwell

Education Officer: Digital Learning

This model and the notes below are drawn from a presentation Professor Merrilyn Goos made to BCE staff in

February 2011. The entire presentation may be downloaded from:

https://kweb.bne.catholic.edu.au/LandT/Priorities/LiteracyNumeracy/BeliefsUnderstandings/Documents/What is numeracy.ppt-

Explaining the model:

You still need mathematical knowledge to be numerate! This includes concepts, skills, and problem solving

strategies, as well as the ability to use sensible estimations. A numerate person also has positive dispositions - a

willingness and confidence to engage with tasks - independently and in collaboration with others - and apply their

mathematical knowledge in flexible and adaptable ways.

Numerate practice often involves using tools. These include:

1. Representational tools like ready reckoners and charts and tables that might be used in a manufacturing context, and of course

2. physical tools like mathematical drawing instruments and the work related tools of a trade or profession

3.digital tools - technology.

A numerate person can organise their personal finances, for example in relation to credit card spending and mobile

phone use. They manage their personal health by making decisions about their eating and exercise habits. They

engage in leisure activities that require numeracy knowledge, such as travel, sport, perhaps gambling.

All kinds of occupations require numeracy. Many examples of work-related numeracy are very specific to the

particular work context, and often the mathematics used is either invisible to the user or is used in very different

ways from how mathematics is taught at school.

Informed and critical citizens are numerate citizens. Almost every public issue depends on data, projections, and

the kind of systematic thinking that’s at the heart of numeracy.

Digital Scavenger hunt

Provide students with a digital camera/video camera, and ask them to

record items that they find during a scavenger hunt. Collate the resulting

images and share using a projector or interactive whiteboard. –

Number Hunt

Photos could be of numbers found in nature, or of that number of items…or of the

number name spelt out…the options are endless!

Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/Division hunt

Give the students a card with an algorithm on it,

and ask them to find the answer and photograph

it!

Shape Hunt

Identify shapes in nature and use numeracy to describe – i.e. three sides, four

corners, one curve etc.

Image: pshutterbug

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pshan427/922632392/si

zes/o/in/photostream/

Image:daveynin

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveynin/24

18030642/sizes/z/in/photostream/

This could be 8+8, or 8x2 or

4x4…. Image: tinyfroglet

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tinyfroglet/525833

0555/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Triangles in the playground.

Image: skalas2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skalasinc/360252783/sizes

/m/in/photostream/

Interactive whiteboard activities and shared problem solving for skill development:

http://www.topicbox.net/Maths/

http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/ http://www.copacabana-

p.schools.nsw.edu.au/Get_Smart_Pages/Get_Smart.htm

http://www.educationict.org.uk/maths/index.htm

Guubes http://www.guubes.com/

From the site:

Guubes uses a technology called “Augmented Reality” (AR).

What is augmented reality?

“Augmented reality is a technology that integrates computer generated graphics into real-time video.” Or, in simpler terms… Guubes uses a technology called “Augmented Reality” (AR) to turn your computer screen or classroom whiteboard into a “magic mirror.” As you move a guube box in front of the mirror our guubes technology will overlay a computer graphic onto the box in the reflection. We use this “magic mirror” to teach fun numeracy, literacy and role-play games.

Voicethread

Use VoiceThread to capture students’ explanations of how they solve maths problems,

or to explain particular mathematical concepts. Set a challenge on VoiceThread and ask

students to add their solutions to it.

Examples are below.

http://ed.voicethread.com/?#q+maths.b44033.i230710

http://ed.voicethread.com/?#q+maths.b456753.i3848830

http://ed.voicethread.co

m/?#q+maths.b61088.i3

16559

http://ed.voicethread.com/?#q+maths.b61088.i316559

Create a VoiceThread.

Voicethread is an online tool that allows users to create a collaborative, multimedia slide

show of images, documents and videos. Comments may be left throughout the slideshow

in five different ways – using voice (with a microphone), text, audio file, or video (via a

webcam). The creative options for teaching and learning are endless – and VoiceThread is

free for educators, and has no software to download – it is all online.

To explore Voicethread today:

1. Go to http://voicethread.com/#home

2. Log in using the following information:

Email: kcantwell@bne.catholic.edu.au

Password: resourcelink

3. Click on the ‘My Voice’ tab at the top and click the

‘What is a Voicethread’ Voicethread.

4. Click the X on the top left hand corner of the

VoiceThread to return to the ‘My voice’ tab.

5. Watch the ‘1 Minute VoiceThread’

6. Click the X to return to ‘My Voice’

7. Click the Create tab.

8. Create your own Voicethread!

Games

Students learn through games because they are engaging and

motivating. There are a number of excellent games on the PBS

Kids website for students to develop mathematical skills. See a

review of the best games from the PBS website here:

http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjro1/wiu/tea/info-on-sites/pbs/cyberchase-

games.htm

http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/allgames.html

A word on Apps:

For schools using mobile devices, there are many fantastic maths apps available for free or for very little cost.

Math Cards: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-cards/id303293933?mt=8

KidCalc: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kidcalc-7-in-1-math-fun-

including/id324332876?mt=8

Popmath: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popmath-basic-math/id295536766?mt=8

Maths Aps for kids: http://www.funeducationalapps.com/2011/06/ghostblasters-and-

multiple-wipeout-2-top-math-apps-for-primary-school-kids.html