Outline

Overview

This unit introduces the teaching and learning of mathematics from Kindergarten to Year 12 to pre-service teachers undertaking both double and single secondary mathematics method. The continuum of learning for K to 10 mathematics is a key focus. To reflect the collaborative nature of working in a team of teachers in schools, issues related to teaching secondary mathematics will be addressed through the investigation of relevant scenarios through small learning team exercises related to high school settings. In these teams, pre-service teachers will collaboratively investigate the issues raised in the scenarios and plan sequential learning experiences appropriate for high school students.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Education
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Bronwyn Reid O'Connor, bronwyn.reidoconnor@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Lesson Presentation Group presentation of an activity. All assessment tasks must be submitted to pass this unit.	20%	Multiple weeks	1000wd equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Theory and Practice Group portfolio including a short essay, and lesson plan. All assessment tasks must be submitted to pass this unit.	40%	Multiple weeks	1500wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Personal Reflection Personal reflection and teaching philosophy, individual task. All assessment tasks must be submitted to pass this unit.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 31 May 2026 at 23:59	2000wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. All assessment tasks must be submitted to pass this unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

For Master of Teaching courses, units of study are awarded either a Satisfied Requirements or Failed Requirements.

Result name	Mark range	Description
Failed Requirements	No mark	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.
Satisfied Requirements	No mark	When you meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Unit overview , The NSW mathematics syllabus	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Mathematics teacher identity, Number concepts (place value)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to pedagogical approaches to teach mathematics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Number concepts	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Addressing student misconceptions in mathematics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	From additive to multiplicative thinking, Teaching mental maths strategies	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Diagnostic teaching approaches	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Integers and order of operations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Working mathematically & developing problem-solving capabilities	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Fraction and decimal concepts	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Planning in mathematics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Rate and ratio	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Assessment and marking in Stage 4	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Geometry concepts	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Inquiry pedagogies in mathematics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Measurement concepts	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Differentiation in mathematics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Statistics and probability concepts	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Writing a teaching philosophy, Student motivation and engagement in mathematics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Algebra concepts	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	The role of ICTs in promoting learning and engagement in mathematics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Lesson presentations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Literacy in Stage 4 mathematics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Algebra concepts continued	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance:

The FASS Student Attendance at classes provisions provide guidance around student attendance. These are in effect from 1 January, 2025.

Within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Resolutions: Coursework Awards these are:

(1) Students are expected to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations. Non-attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. Participation in a minimum number of assessment items may be included in the requirements specified for a unit of study.

(2) Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean or relevant delegated authority. The Associate Dean or relevant delegated authority may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items when attendance is lower than 90 per cent.

(3) The case of any formally enrolled student who is absent from 50% or more of classes, regardless of the reasons for the absence, will be automatically referred to the end-of-semester departmental examiners’ meeting for a determination as to whether the student should pass or fail the unit, or, if a pass is awarded, the level of penalty that should be applied.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Hine, G., Reaburn, R., Anderson, J., et al (2016). Teaching secondary mathematics. Sydney: Cambridge.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the mathematics content and teaching strategies appropriate for learning mathematics effectively
LO2. use curriculum and a range of resources to design and organise mathematics content into effective learning and teaching sequences and lesson plans that use a diversity of teaching strategies
LO3. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn mathematics, identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in secondary mathematics contexts, and develop teaching strategies using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students
LO4. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating mathematics teaching and set appropriate and achievable learning goals for students with varying knowledge, skills and understandings in secondary mathematics classrooms
LO5. demonstrate understanding of literacy and numeracy teaching strategies appropriate for the mathematics classroom and demonstrate teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning needs of students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds
LO6. collaboratively plan lesson sequences and a teaching program designed to meet the needs of students in a particular secondary mathematics context, evaluate teaching programs designed by colleagues, and through delivery of a lesson, demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions, and demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support engagement
LO7. demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the mathematics education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 2.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 2.2.1. (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence. 2.3.1. (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans. 3.3.1. (Graduate) Include a range of teaching strategies. 3.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 1.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching. 2.6.1. (Graduate) Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students. 4.1.1. (Graduate) Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 1.5.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities. 3.1.1. (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 1.3.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. 2.5.1. (Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 3.2.1. (Graduate) Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies. 3.5.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement. 4.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions. 6.2.1. (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
	Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - 1.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. 2.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.2.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
1.3.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
1.5.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
2.1.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.2.1		(Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
2.3.1		(Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
2.5.1		(Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
3.1.1		(Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
3.2.1		(Graduate) Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
3.3.1		(Graduate) Include a range of teaching strategies.
3.4.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
3.5.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.
3.6.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge of strategies that can be used to evaluate teaching programs to improve student learning.
4.1.1		(Graduate) Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
4.2.1		(Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes

Additional information

More information about this Unit of Study can be found on Canvas.

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EDMT5613: Mathematics Curriculum 1

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links