District Mathematics Summits
Since 2014 we report regularly on our support for capacity development of Subject Advisors (SA) Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase Mathematics. We are addressing mathematical pedagogical content knowledge as well as effective Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Now it’s time to move from learning to implementing.
Four Free State districts (Motheo, Thabo Mofutsanyana, Fezile Dabi and Xhariep) planned a math summit last May and June. These 1 day events were intended for multi-grade, foundation and intermediate phase teachers and reached together a total of 580 teachers. Most of the teachers were from schools that did not perform well in the 2014 Annual National Assessment (ANA).
Planning the events
The districts organized these events with support of the provincial office of the Free State Department of Education (FSDOE) and VVOB. The events created an opportunity for Subject Advisors to practice the acquired mathematical skills. It was also a way for them to develop capacity in planning effective CPD. They set objectives, budgeted, and identified the best methodology to meet the planned objectives of their math event. The main objective was that teachers had to leave this event with knowledge and skills. It was therefore important to select relevant topics and to target the right teachers.
The selected topics differed in each district, but they were all motivated by the challenges experienced by learners in Grade 1 to Grade 6, including the ANA error analysis, and challenges faced by teachers in the classrooms. The key challenges identified were the following:
- Transition from grade 3 to grade 4.
- Developing high quality assessment tasks.
- How to teach the following topics: fractions, place value, time and probability
At the end of each event, teachers were requested to evaluate the presenters and the whole event. The feedback in all the districts was similar: teachers felt that events were informative and of great benefit for their classroom practice, however, they preferred such events to happen over a few days, not just one day, or to be organised more frequently.
District reflections
Below are some reflections by each district.
Motheo District – 13- 14 May 2015
The demonstration by a teacher on the first day of our summit triggered quite some discussions. The audience found that she could improve on her interaction with learners. This was a real learning moment: the audience was thinking critically about teaching and learning and the teacher implemented the comments immediately. The next demonstration was much better.
Teachers left with a wealth of knowledge in terms of how they could be effective teachers and facilitate better learning. They further gained exposure into the importance of the language of instruction when learners progress from Grade 3 to Grade 4. Teachers were fascinated by the usage of manipulatives and how they could use the Math Lab in enhancing the learning experience of their learners.
The organisation of the event was a great opportunity to learn and share skills that were gained during the workshops organised and facilitated by VVOB.
Thabo Mofutsanyana District - 27 -28 May 2015
We empowered teachers in how to use the Concrete, Pictorial, and Abstract approach in teaching concepts of measurement (time and volume), fractions, and word problems. As part of the summit programme, lessons and demonstrations on selected topics were provided.
Our presenters shared teaching strategies which included the following guidelines:
- The Curriculum Assessment Policy (CAPS) document should be used as a reference guide at all stages of teaching (planning, executing, evaluating, assessing).
- The objective of each lesson must be clear to the learner.
- Planned lessons should aim to be fun, to ensure that learners are engaged throughout the lesson.
- Assessment should be part of the learning process with correct error analysis to ensure that learners understand what they were taught.
Fezile Dabi District - 2-3 June 2015
Our aim was to demonstrate how to teach word problems and number concepts in the Foundation Phase(FP)and how to teach word problems and measurement in the Intermediate Phase (IP).
We opted to have professional presenters from Brainwave and Pearson to demonstrate the chosen challenging topics to our teachers. The publishers supplied printed teaching materials to our invited teachers. We encouraged teachers to use these materials during their Professional Learning Community (PLC) meeting as a way of reaching more teachers.
Our presenters shared the following teaching strategies:
- Introduce the lesson with manipulatives familiar to the learners
- Involve leaners in usage of manipulatives
- Allow learners to link their prior knowledge with the newly taught concept.
Organising such an event was a great learning experience. The gained knowledge and skills from the presenters will be used by subject advisors during their training in schools and facilitation of PLCs.
Xhariep District - 4 June 2015
We aimed to empower multi-grade, FP and IP teachers in our district on how to teach place value and fraction concepts in an effective manner. We also wanted our teachers to understand the importance of bridging the content from foundation to intermediate phase.
The teaching skills shared by presenters were the following:
- The usage of colours during the teaching of place value should be consistent with the instructions in the CAPS document.
- Every teacher should be aware of what is taught in each grade to minimise the information gap as learners progress in grades.
- Facilitators of existing PLCs were asked to introduce themselves and their groups to the summit audience. Participants were encouraged to join PLCs in their area.
Ready for the future
The word from all the districts was that planning such an event requires time and commitment. However, the events were so successful that they felt proud and encouraged for the future. The active participation of higher officials added value and motivated all organizing teams and participants. Districts and provincial office committed to planning the events again in the future and reach more teachers than they reached this time.
Following the district events, the Free State provincial Math Summit will be organized by and take place in Lejweleputswa district in August 2015.
