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Points of View contains 10 tasks related to the topic of representing 3D objects in two dimensions, a manual and software built on the task Building Views. Originally designed for Years 5 - 8 it has also proved to be an extremely valuable learning resource in VCAL and other non-academic senior classes. Content includes nets, front/side/top views, isometric drawing and more in practical hands-on settings encouraging the development and application of spatial perception. The kit is constructed around a Mixed Media Model (see Link List below) and the manual provides: comments from trial teachers and students, notes for whole class investigations, information about each task, a suite of investigation guides suitable for a wide range of abilities, assessment guidance. Listed at $275 on our Order Form (see Link List below) the final few of these kits have been discounted 40% to... Change our Order Form or use your school purchase order.

only $165

On behalf of Education Services Australia, Charles Lovitt or Birsin Reynolds will be presenting the full day workshop titled:

at several venues across the country through 2013. Bookings are open now for sessions in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia between March and May. See Link List below to make your bookings.

And while we are talking about Maths300, have you seen the latest lesson, Making Selections? Skill exercises in probability become an investigation for students from Years 5 - 12 involving estimation, first principles approaches, empirical modelling, and the problem-solving strategies of 'act it out' and 'make a model'. Students work like a mathematician and understanding, confidence and competence develop. The lesson is extended and supported by software.

At the annual conference of the Mathematical Association of Victoria, our workshop on this topic was full. The 40 or so teachers in attendance were attracted by the description:

Fractions seem to be one of the major points at which students 'fall over' in their mathematics learning. If you have the feeling that what has been done in the past ... and usually done again the next year ... and the next ... simply hasn't worked for many students in this topic, this workshop will help you discover alternatives. Explore different ideas, activities and structures which have helped other teachers make learning fractions a successful experience. Fractions, decimals and percentages will all be involved in this practical, hands-on, problem solving session that is supported by software.

In its Rationale the Australian Mathematics Curriculum states that its focus is:

• ...developing increasingly sophisticated and refined mathematical understanding, fluency, logical reasoning analytical thought and problem-solving skills across key content strands

In its Aims the Australian Mathematics Curriculum states that it wants to ensure students:

• ...are confident, creative users and communicators of mathematics, able to investigate, represent and interpret situations...
• ...develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of mathematical concepts and fluency with processes, and are able to pose and solve problems and reason...
• ...recognise connections between the areas of mathematics and other disciplines and appreciate mathematics as an accessible and enjoyable discipline...

Responses to these expectations could be:

We need to do more hands-on problem solving.

• Maths With Attitude offers 16 kits of 20 hands-on tasks sorted into content strands for Years 3 - 10.
• Task notes are provided in the manual and through the Task Cameos on Mathematics Centre.

We need to get more from our Maths300 membership.

• Maths With Attitude plans and integrates the use of almost every Maths300 lesson across all content strands and year levels.
• Different lessons are referenced at each year level so you use more lessons across the school.

We need investigation-based units of work.

• Each kit is a unit of work of several weeks.
• The manual in each kit comes with a scope and sequence Planner and teachers' notes detailing the unit.
• Each kit is independent, but all kits offer a Working Mathematically focus.

We need to replace our old skill-driven curriculum.

• The suite of 4 Maths With Attitude kits at each year level offers 25 weeks of investigation-driven curriculum.
• Maths With Attitude provides the core. Teachers map this into their year planner and add according to their students' needs.
• All students can learn to work like a mathematician.

Perhaps seeing the outcome of one MWA unit of work in one school might help you answer that question. See the story in the Link List below about the Space & Logic unit in Year 7 at Wade High School - lots of photos.

Mathematics Centre also provides Working Mathematically with Infants to start the reasoning, justification and communication processes from the day children enter school. See Link List below for a flier about WMI and MWA.