Mck's Maths Madness



Mathematics is one of my favourite parts of teaching in a primary classroom.  Taking the outcomes and giving ownership of them to my students through a variety of guided, independent and facilitated learning experiences and inquiries.
I have been a member of the Mathematics Team in my past 2 schools.  My roles have been many and varied.
  1.  Unpacking Maths Outcomes to link with the PYP. Became very familiar with ACARA; The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
  2. Developing and implementing new Maths curriculum to teachers in my school.
  3. Develop an action plan to improve standardised test restuls ( ISA - International School Assessment)
  4. Create and share and facilitate the use 'Rich Tasks' for and the classrooms.
  5. Create, share and facilitate understanding and teaching of mental maths and problem solving solving strategies.
  6. Create, share and facilitate the use of literature, fiction and non-fiction in maths lessons and inquiries.
  7. Introduced Mathletics to BHS
  8. Select and introduce resources to support teachers.
  9.  Trialling and selecting relevant and useful technology and resources for the primary classrooms.

What does Mathematics look like in my classroom?







All maths begins with team planning.
  • Yearly Overview making genuine links with the units of inquiry
  • Unit based plans (monthly)
  • Weekly Planning - linked to assessment and needs of the kids





  • Pre-Assessment
  • Formative Assessment
  • Stop Checks
  • Summative Assessments








  • Mental Starter/Story related to outcome
  • Share outcomes with class in 'kid speak'
  • collaborative
  • differentiated
  • Tasks begin with the concrete; modelling, making, doing, explaining 
  • Move to the abstract with the using and applying of the skills, knowledge and concepts


    Fractions and Decimals (Year 4)

    Outcome - Model and Compare improper fractions and mixed numbers
    Kid Speak -
    • I can demonstrate how 1 whole changes
    • I can model and compare improper fractions
    • I can rename simple improper fractions as mixed numbers


      In the above activity the children where grouped into 3's.
      They had to
      1. Select a material to create a unit of '1'
      2. Make improper fractions based on the unit of '1' 
      3. Write up definitions and examples of improper fraction and mixed number

      Shape and Space (Year 4)

      Outcome - Sort, draw, describe and classify regular and irregular two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional objects using appropriate vocabulary
      Kid Speak -
      • I can identify strong shapes
      • I can strengthen shapes
      • I can use shapes to make structures
      The children make and tested the strength of 2D shapes following the scientific process.
      They tested the shapes to see if they could make these shapes stronger.

      The children had plenty of opportunity to design and make structures using the design process.















      Other work Samples for Mathematics
















      Gekko Maths - Yr 5

      In Year 5 we held a Gekko Maths competition with mixed teams of students from the 3 classes.  Each team has to answer a question then run the answer back to the judges.  If the answer is correct they get the next question, if the answer is correct they have an option to pass (only 2 times) or go back and try again.
      It is a great way to develop team skills but also reinforce maths skills and problem solving strategies.



      Gekko Maths from Gabrielle McKinnon on Vimeo.