Week two we delved further into understanding the Mathematics NSW Syllabus and also the Early Years Learning Framework. Initially looking at the NSW K-6 Syllabus I felt overwhelmed. It has a lot more happening behind the lesson plans than I had realised. There are the three strands- Measurement and Geometry, Number and Algebra and Statistics and Probability. Within these headings there is then strands and sub strands. To require an in-debt knowledge of the content and outcomings under each of these heading’s, I feel I will need to spend a lot of time studying and preparing for this.
We looked at the EYLF learning which looks a little different. The elements of this is based on three headings Being, Becoming and Belonging, three sub strands of principles, practice and learning outcomes. Lastly it has five outcomes from these. There seems to be more flexibility under this curriculum compared to K-6.
We also looked into the concept of numeracy and how important it is to engage in society (ACAR, 2020)
Numeracy can be used in the real world as recognising and relating numbers to mathematics’. Reflecting back on my own experience of maths, I did not realise there was such a big difference between having maths skills and numeracy skills. I feel that being a mature student I have forgotten the basic elements and difference between the two.
Children as young as one start to develop numeracy skills. How well they grasp this can predict how successful they will be in later academic and career life (Baroody, Eiland, Reid & Purpura, 2015)
Maths is so important in the world outside the school classroom. As a future educator I hope to use this knowledge for my teachings. This week’s reading had the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child”(Attard, 2017) this really hit home for me, as a parent I need to take more responsibility for the improvement of maths education alongside the teachers and anyone who has any influence on a child.
References:
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (2020). Retrieved 19 March 2020, from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/media/3635/national-numeracy-learning-progression.pdf
Attard, C. (2017). Mathematics education in Australia: New decade, new opportunities?. Retrieved 23 March 2020, from https://engagingmaths.com/2020/01/21/mathematics-education-in-australia-new-decade-new-opportunities/
Purpura, D. J., Reid, E. E., Eiland, M. D., & Baroody, A. J. (2015, March). Using a brief preschool early numeracy skills screener to identify young children with mathematics difficulties. School Psychology Review, 44(1), 41+. Retrieved from https://link-gale-com.ezproxy1.acu.edu.au/apps/doc/A435358917/AONE?u=acuni&sid=AONE&xid=76d6edb3
