Lake Cargelligo Central School, NSW, recently purchased Starting Maths300 & Tasks and 30 Poly Plug (see Resources link on the left). This is an excellent set of resources for beginning a K-12 Working Mathematically curriculum which reflects best teaching practice. But the school went much further. Professional development is the core of our work and the school realised that the best understanding of principles and use of resources would come through professional development. How best to arrange that when you are in the middle of the New South Wales Western Plains?
- began with a one page summary of the principles
- moved into trying a task
- linked that task to its Maths300 lesson (and software when available), and
- explored how the lesson could be converted to a whole class investigation (with Poly Plug where appropriate)
Lake Cargelligo is the latest in a group of schools in the area (Hillston Central, Wade High School, Euabalong West Primary School) which have, in the last two years, reviewed and redeveloped their curriculum through professional development. In the Maths300 eNews this month Hillston teachers will report briefly on some exciting results. The basis for a local network (in Australian country terms) is now laid. Good luck folks. Keep in touch.
Two new cameos this month.
- The Mushroom Hunt offers the story-shell of the three bears and three pigs going mushrooming. When they come home and compare what they have collected in their baskets, the grand total, and the sub-totals formed using different combinations of baskets have some interesting mathematical properties. The task opens doors to doubling, powers of 2, binary numbers and algebraic representation.
- Criss-Cross Numbers is like a crossword puzzle but it is based on using if-then thinking to fill the gaps. Once completed, students can create equations to equal the puzzle numbers and create a brand new crossnumber puzzle.
Read about these Tasks of the Month in Task Cameos in the Iceberg Information link on the left, or click on a photo to go straight to printable information about the task. Add the printed files to your Cameo Collection. There is a cover page for your collection in the Iceberg Information link.
Ina had a phone call the other day asking if our prices for tasks had changed from the price list the caller was using. Her answer was, If you are using a price list from October 2004 or later, the answer is no. The caller was very surprised. That's a long time to keep prices stable in today's business environment.
However, the truth is that the Project has been absorbing price rises from suppliers and Australia Post all that time. It can't last. Since 1993, postage has been included in the price of all task sales, but that must stop. Prices will change on July 1st. At the very least, all sales will be plus postage.
So, you have just 3 months left to purchase tasks and task kits at 2004 prices!
