Foundation

The short courses are designed to explore the teaching of Mathematics in the Foundation Phase, and in particular the five content areas: Number, operations and relationships

Patterns, functions and algebra
Shape and space
Measurement and
Data handling

In these courses, teachers will explore a variety of pedagogical approaches for the teaching of Mathematics, and will be given an opportunity to review the mathematics curriculum (CAPS). Each of the content areas will be brought to life in a practical way. The courses also focus on Mathematics within the content areas to ensure that teachers understand the Mathematics needed to deliver the curriculum. Assessment and planning are also discussed, as central to the teaching of mathematics.

Number, Operations and Relationships
Whole numbers
Building Numerosity:

Counting [2 hours]
Ordering and comparing numbers [2 hours]
Place value [2 hours]

Calculating and Operating with numbers:

Understanding addition and subtraction [2 hours]
Understanding repeated addition and multiplication [2 hours]
Understanding repeated grouping, sharing and division [2 hours]
Problem solving with whole numbers [2 hours]
Mental mathematics [2 hours]

Teachers will receive a manual of notes
Number of hours: 16

Fractions

Fraction concept [2 hours]
Equivalence, ordering and comparing [4 hours]

Teachers will receive a manual of notes
Number of hours: 6

Patterns, Functions and Algebra

Number patterns [4 hours]
Geometric patterns [2 hours]
Patterns in the environment [2 hours]

Teachers will receive a manual of notes
Number of hours: 8

Shape and Space

2D shapes - 2 sessions (overview; sorting and grouping; making and drawing) [4 hours]
3D objects - 2 sessions (overview; sorting and grouping; making) [4 hours]
Position and views [2 hours]
Symmetry [2hours]
Puzzles and problem solving [2 hours]

Teachers will receive a manual of notes
Number of hours: 14

Measurement

This course will take the form of workstations and teachers will engage in practical activities that they can do in their classrooms.
Practical Measuring:

workstations Mass [1 hour]
Capacity/volume [1 hour]
Length [1 hour]

Workshops:

Time (passing of time, telling the time) [1 hour]
Perimeter and Area for Grade 3 [2 hours]

Teachers will receive a manual of notes
Number of hours: 6

Data Handling

Collect, sort and organise objects and data Represent objects and data Analyse and interpret data
Teachers will receive a manual of notes
We can cover Data Handling over one day: 8 am to 3 pm

Number of hours: 6

Courses that cut across Content Areas

We suggest that teachers first do the courses that address the content areas before doing this course. Preparing for External Testing
Teachers are under pressure to improve learner results in external tests.
Teachers will:

Examine the guidelines produced by the DBE
Analyse past ANA and WCED Systemic exemplar questions
Examine different frameworks that stratify levels of cognitive demands
Design grade specific questions using cognitive levels

Teachers will receive a manual of notes and a framework for helping them select and design test items.
Number of hours: 6

Using learner notebooks and recording to facilitate learning

This course focuses on the benefits of regular written practice in Mathematics. Teachers will write out exactly what forms of recording they expect their learner to use in each topic at different points in the year.
The course will cover the following content areas:

Number operations and relationships [4 hours]
Patterns, functions and algebra [2 hours]
Shape and space [2 hours]
Measurement [2 hours]
Data handling [2 hours]

Number of hours: 12

Planning the teaching of Mathematics

This course will give an overview of the sequencing and pacing in Section 3 of the Foundation Phase CAPS curriculum. Teachers will then work practically to map the sequencing and pacing (given in the hours) onto the days of the 2013 school calender. Teachers who are proficient users of Excel can use their laptops to do this planning.

Number of hours: 4