Numeracy

We offer a comprehensive numeracy program which provides students with a strong grounding in mathematical skills, strategies and understandings.

Our aim is to support students in becoming numerate and use mathematics effectively so they can successfully participate at school, at home and in the wider community. Numeracy programs at Lara Primary School are founded on the expectation that all children will develop a strong sense of number and build their capacity in Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving and Reasoning in Mathematics. We start every year with a focus on Number Sense which is ‘fluidity and flexibility with numbers, the sense of what numbers mean, and an ability to perform mental mathematics and to look at the world and make comparisons.’ This supports our students in becoming life-long learners of mathematics and helps build their problem solving, sense making and communication skills.

The school ensures each class dedicates at least one session to Numeracy every day.

The students’ progress is monitored and measured against the Victorian Curriculum. Teaching staff regularly engage in professional development to keep their skills current in this area.

Our daily Numeracy Program includes a warm up to promote mathematical fluency, explicit teaching of concepts and understandings, and opportunities to apply knowledge to problem solving situations. Children take part in focussed teaching groups, complete independent work and are involved in roving conferences with their teacher. Each Numeracy session is concluded with an opportunity to reflect on learning and to share successful strategies.

Everyday life is full of opportunities to help your child learn about maths. We use maths many times each day, often without knowing it. Make your daily routines – like cooking, fixing and gardening – a chance for your child to learn maths. The more your child joins in, the more maths will make sense.

Numeracy provides students with essential mathematical skills and knowledge in Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. It develops the numeracy capabilities that all students will need in their personal, work and social lives.