Mathematics approaches and strategies that worked

In the following links we share the narratives of eight schools. The first four describe the school-wide development of effective approaches to mathematics teaching, and some teaching strategies. The final four describe strategies that were implemented in parts of the schools concerned.

01 Using both long-term and short-term strategies to improve mathematics learning and achievement

ABERDEEN SCHOOL
HAMILTON

  • Focused professional learning and development
  • Managing improvements across the school
  • Working with individual children and their parents

02 Adapting ongoing mathematics professional development to foster and sustain improvements

HOON HAY SCHOOL
CHRISTCHURCH

  • Strategically managing change
  • Trialling and spreading the new mathematics approached
  • Working with parents
  • Ongoing review and development

03 Working collaboratively to develop and implement an agreed mathematics curriculum and consistent, high quality teaching practices

HOKOWHITU SCHOOL
PALMERSTON NORTH

  • Reviewing and developing curriculum content
  • Outlining expectations about teaching practices
  • Successfully implementing new approaches

04 Raising expectations and improving outcomes for Māori and Pacific students

ROSCOMMON SCHOOL
AUCKLAND

  • Identifying children’s and teachers’ development needs
  • Accessing relevant PLD
  • Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities

05 Improving children’s mathematics learning and achievement through the use of flexible, multi-ability grouping of children

SELWYN RIDGE SCHOOL
TAURANGA

  • A multi-ability mathematics lesson
  • Children supporting each other to learn
  • Impacts for children

06 Supporting children’s developing confidence with mathematics by establishing educationally powerful connections and relationships with families

EAST TAIERI SCHOOL
OTAGO

  • A multi-ability mathematics lesson
  • Children supporting each other to learn
  • Impacts for children

07 Giving students explicit instruction about learning strategies helped them take control of their learning and developed their self-efficacy

MARIST SCHOOL MOUNT ALBERT
AUCKLAND

  • Introducing mixed-ability instruction
  • Helping children to understand their learning
  • Using digital technologies

08 Undertaking an inquiry to build and extend teachers’ mathematics teaching capabilities

WAIPAHIHI SCHOOL
TAUPO

  • Increasing children’s understanding of their learning
  • Improving teaching practices