Schools spend time on trying to inspire their future authors, sports stars, artists, scientists, historians… and quite rightly. We book experts in those fields to visit and we reference their achievements while teaching the subjects. But what about developing the aspiration to become a mathematician?
Any mathematician will tell you that they are a seeker of patterns. Teaching children how to investigate mathematical ideas and structures is crucial to them developing a love of maths and to encourage them to be ‘a seeker of patterns’. The National Curriculum states that all children should learn how to: reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language. And the purpose of study says: ‘A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.’
I have created a planning format to support with mathematical enquiry in the form of an investigation lesson as well as a suite of resources to support teachers with how to develop real mathematicians. These investigative lessons could be delivered to children once a fortnight, for example, as an introduction or a summing up of a Unit of work.
However, in order to fully understand the ideas, the techniques need to be demonstrated and not just talked about.
Book me to work with the teachers in your school. A staff meeting will introduce the philosophy and ideas. This is then followed by lessons in each year group, over two days that are observed and reviewed.
Contact me for more details and click on this link to download the flyer:
Developing Real Mathematicians
07733 092 934 sharonjaneday@hotmail.com @SharonJaneDay