Mathematics 7 - 12

Curriculum

MATHEMATICS

RATIONALE

Mathematics provides students with access to important mathematical ideas, knowledge and skills that they will draw on in their personal and work lives. The curriculum also provides students, with the basis from which further study can be undertaken.

Our Beliefs:

 “All students can learn mathematics and teaching that is based upon this principle dramatically increases students’ mathematics achievement. “

Years 7 to 10

All students study Mathematics as a core subject from Year 7 to 10 and have 5 sessions of maths each week.

Units of work at each year level are planned around the 3 key strands of the Victorian Curriculum which include:

• Number & Algebra
• Measurement & Geometry
• Probability & Statistics

An Online program called Essential Assessment provides detailed information to guide the specific learning needs of individual students.

Prior to starting any unit of work, each student sits a pre assessment for the topic to be studied.

Once a pre-assessment has been completed, the Essential Assessment program automatically creates a differentiated and personalised online curriculum (INLP) for each student, based on the content descriptors misunderstood throughout the assessment.

Each INLP has learning goals outlined for a student to further assist with their learning.

Homework

Weekly Maths Mate homework is compulsory for all students in Years 7 to 10

How Maths Mate Works

The Maths Mate Program is based on the principle that regular, structured practice helps the development of short and long term memory.  As a result students' mathematical knowledge, skills and problem solving abilities are consolidated and extended through systematic, weekly revision.

All skills acquired by students at each Maths Mate level relate to key mathematical strands which means every major topic is revised every week.

Benefits for students:

• Provides both achievable and challenging levels of work for every student.
  • Consolidates skills through frequent and regular practice.
  • Increases the student’s ability to interpret questions and problem solve.
  • Gives constant practise of question interpretation.
  • Motivates students towards becoming independent learners and taking responsibility for their own progress
  • Assists in the development of good study habits and life qualities such as meeting expected deadlines.

VCE MATHEMATICS

PATHWAYS IN MATHEMATICS

FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS

Units 1 and 2

Foundation Mathematics provides for the continuing mathematical development of students entering VCE who do not necessarily intend to undertake Unit 3 and 4 studies in VCE Mathematics in the following year.

The areas of study for Units 1 and 2 of Foundation Mathematics are:

• Space, shape and design
• Patterns and number
• Data
• Measurement

GENERAL MATHEMATICS

Units 1 and 2

General Mathematics provides for different combinations of student interests and preparation for study of VCE Mathematics at the Unit 3 and 4 level. The areas of study for General Mathematics Unit 1 and Unit 2 are

• Algebra and structure
• Arithmetic and number
• Discrete mathematics
• Geometry, measurement and trigonometry
• Graphs of linear and non-linear relations
• Statistics

FURTHER MATHEMATICS

Units 3 and 4

Further Mathematics consists of two areas of study, a compulsory Core area of study to be completed in Unit 3 and an Applications area of study to be completed in Unit 4.

The Core comprises

• Data analysis
• Recursion and financial modelling

The Applications comprises two modules to be completed in their entirety, which are the following two modules:

• Geometry and measurement
• Graphs and relation

MATHEMATICAL METHODS 

Units 1 and 2

Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2 provide an introductory study of simple elementary functions of a single real variable, algebra, calculus, probability and statistics and their applications in a variety of practical and theoretical contexts. They are designed as preparation for Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 and contain assumed knowledge and skills for these units.

MATHEMATICAL METHODS

Units 3 and 4

Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 are completely prescribed and extend the introductory study of simple elementary functions of a single real variable, to include combinations of these functions, algebra, calculus, probability and statistics, and their applications in a variety of practical and theoretical contexts.

Units 3 and 4 consist of the areas of study

• Functions and graphs
• Calculus
• Algebra
• Probability and statistics

SPECIALIST MATHEMATICS

Units 1 ,2 and 3, 4

Specialist Mathematics Units provide a course of study for students who wish to undertake an in-depth study of mathematics, with an emphasis on concepts, skills and processes related to mathematical structure, modelling, problem solving and reasoning. This study has a focus on interest in the discipline of mathematics in its own right and investigation of a broad range of applications, as well as development of a sound background for further studies in mathematics and mathematics related fields.

Depending on numbers this subject may be offered through the VVLN