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Unit of study_

EDMT5683: Primary Mathematics 1

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

The focus for this unit is the Number and Algebra and Working Mathematically strands of the NSW Mathematics Syllabus with particular emphasis on the first three years of school. It will explore how children's mathematical thinking strategies develop via a research-based framework of number and will introduce the important connection between assessment and planning for instruction.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT5683
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
EDMT5532
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Janette Bobis, janette.bobis@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Reflection on weekly readings
n/a
20% Multiple weeks 800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO9
Assignment Diagnostic interview and report on a child
Report on a previously recorded diagnostic interview conducted with child.
40% Week 07 1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO7 LO8
Assignment group assignment Mini-program of work and individual reflection
Planning & presenting/teaching lessons to small grp of peers via zoom rooms
40% Week 13 2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Reflection on weekly readings: Students will be required to show evidence of having read the set readings through their involvement in an online discussion (see Canvas for this Unit of Study to access the online discussion) that reflects their understanding of the readings, lecture content and their evolving understanding of how children learn mathematics.
  • Diagnostic interview and report on a child: Students may have the opportunity to work collaboratively to conduct a diagnostic interview (e.g., SENA 1 &/or 2) and analyse the results in terms of the Learning Progressions (https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/national-literacy-and-numeracy-learning-progressions/national-numeracy-learning-progression/) and the NSW mathematics syllabus K-6. Students submit an individual report based on their assessment of one child.
  • Mini-program of work and individual reflection: This assignment comprises two parts: (1) The mini-program and assessment reports of children is a group assignment; and (2) a personal reflection on your teaching over the duration of the school-based sessions is an individual component. The results from assignment 2 will be used to plan a series of 3 lessons designed to address the needs of the child(ren) you assessed.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

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

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard.

Distinction

75 - 84

A Distinction is a very high standard.

Credit

65 - 74

A credit is a good standard.

Pass

50 - 64

A pass is an acceptable standard.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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 Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The nature of Mathematics & how children learn it. Tutorial Focus: Exploring prior learning experiences of mathematics and their impact on student dispositions towards it. Pedagogical Focus: Intentional Talk and pedagogy for building mathematical understanding, inclusiveness & engagement. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO9
Week 02 The development of early number knowledge. The importance of representations in the development of mathematical thinking and understanding. Instructional Activity Focus: Quick Images Pedagogical Content Knowledge Strategy focus: Facilitating Open Strategy Sharing and discussions in the mathematics classroom. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO8
Week 03 Early addition & subtraction: counting to non-counting strategies. Tutorial: Instructional Activity Focus: Counting Collections Pedagogical Content Knowledge Focus: Planning a targeted strategy discussion to compare and connect strategies. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO8
Week 04 Early multiplication & division: forming groups to knowing basic facts. Instructional Activity Focus: Representing multiplicative thinking from concrete, to images and symbols. Pedagogical Content Knowledge Strategy Focus: Facilitating discussions that encourage students to justify and explain their strategies. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 05 Place value: mental strategies for addition & subtraction of 2 digit by 2 digit numbers. Tutorial will occur at a local school to enable diagnostic testing of a student(s). Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO7
Week 06 Working with place value and number sense to explore the introduction of algorithms for addition and subtraction. Preliminary grouping of children based on their SENA results will occur during this tutorial. Instructional Activity Focus: Posing a set or string of related equations. Pedagogical Content Knowledge Strategy Focus: Facilitating discussions about the best strategy to use and why (e.g. Which is best: the split or jump strategy?) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7
Week 07 Preparation for teaching. Instructional Activity: Number Strings Planning of instructional activities during tutorials with peers to be rehearsed in next week's tutorial. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 08 Algebraic thinking: patterns & algebra. Focus: The importance of understanding equivalence. Instructional Activity: Choral counting as a vehicle for exploring patterns, structure and relationships. Rehearsal of planned activities to occur in tutorials, plus planning of first lesson with children will commence with co-teachers. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO8
Week 09 Fractions: Connecting representations to help students make sense of fractions. Rehearsal in tutorials of activities to be used with students in proceeding weeks. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Teaching - assessing. 1 hour Lecture as usual. 2 hours in local school teaching small group of students. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Teaching – assessing 1 hour lecture as usual. 2 hours in local school teaching small group of students. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Teaching – assessing 1 hour lecture as usual. 2 hours in local school teaching small group of students. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

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

Readings for this unit can be accessed from the Library via a link available on Canvas.

There is no prescribed textbook.

 

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. understand current educational theory, issues and research pertaining to early number learning, mathematics content and relevant syllabus requirements
  • LO2. use a diagnostic interview to help assess a child’s level of mathematical thinking and analyse the results in relation to a research-based framework of number development
  • LO3. demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with peers in the design and implementation of a sequence of lessons based on the mathematical strengths and needs of a small group of children
  • LO4. utilise appropriate teaching strategies and resources, including ICT, to actively engage students in meaningful mathematical learning experiences
  • LO5. plan appropriate learning experiences that reflect knowledge of current educational theory, research, effective pedagogy and curriculum documents/resources
  • LO6. select, plan and implement appropriate mathematical experiences that promote risk taking, foster efficient learning strategies, develop positive attitudes, promote enjoyment and provide opportunities for children to create for themselves mathematical thinking skills
  • LO7. demonstrate an understanding of a variety of assessment strategies (clinical interviewing, observation & work sample analysis), evaluation, recording and reporting of a child’s developing mathematical needs
  • LO8. demonstrate increased knowledge and understanding of mathematics content, of how children learn mathematics and effective pedagogy
  • LO9. critically reflect on their beliefs, experiences and attitudes toward mathematics and how this impacts on their teaching of mathematics.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

No changes

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 organization. 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 organization.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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