What happened for my children and what evidence do I have?
My kids had an increase in their Number Knowledge and Number Strategies- PAT data: When initially looking at the PAT data the results for my target group were not amazing but there was some shift in their scale scores.
However when looking more closely at the data I discovered 4/5 of my target children had 100% increase in the amount of number strategy questions they answered correctly and 3/5 children had 150% increase in the amount of number knowledge questions they answered correctly.
- GloSS data: The shift in PAT was also mirrored in the children GLoSS tests
Increase in levels of engagement and enjoyment in maths
Anecdotally the children are more engaged in their maths and they are enjoying themselves. There is a nice vibe around the class, the children are more confident and have greater agency over their learning. These observations have been corroborated with data drawn from a student survey:
What did I do to make this happen?
These changes have come from a multi-pronged approach:- Use of materials with small group: In the children's small group session with me I have used materials a lot (particularly after having PD with Ko Knox). My target group are either below or well below the standard. Using materials has been effective in teaching new mathematical knowledge and concepts. The materials helped the children concretise new learning and mathematical concepts.
- Hands on follow up tasks: As a continuation from their sessions with me the children's follow up tasks required hands on application of what we had been working on. These hands on tasks again helped concretise new learnings for the children. The hands on aspect of the task also made them more enjoyable particularly for the boys.
- Create to learn tasks: The children really engaged with the create to learn tasks. The visibly enjoyed creating and working with each other. By themselves the create to learn activities were not sufficient enough to improve the children's learning but when combined with the use of materials and hands on tasks they were effective in consolidating new mathematical concepts.
Wonderings?
I want to investigate things I can do to help my kids retain new learnings and knowledge. Often we will cover a concept/strategy and the children will demonstrate their understanding of it yet when asked about it in a months time their understanding is not as strong. Is it a matter of utilising rich learning tasks and going over the material multiple times throughout the year or is there more to it?
