Intermediate

MEPP Intermediate Phase Mathematics Short Courses

The short courses are designed to explore the teaching of Mathematics in the Intermediate 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.

Numbers, Operations and Relationships Whole numbers

Number concept and place value [2 hours]
Mental Mathematics [2 hours]
Multiplication [4 hours]
Division [4 hours]
Problem solving with whole numbers [2 hours]

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

Fractions, Decimals and Percentages

Equivalence, ordering and comparing [4 hours]
Adding, subtracting and problem solving with fractions [2 hours]
Critically examining models and apparatus used to teach fractions [2 hours]
Decimals and percentages Grade 6 [3 hours]

Teachers will receive a manual of notes
Number of hours: 11

Patterns, Functions and Algebra

Geometric patterns [4 hours]
Number patterns [2 hours]
Number sentences as an introduction to algebra [2 hours]

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

Space and Shape

2D shapes [4 hours]
3D objects [4 hours]
Viewing objects [2 hours]
Position and movement [2 hours]
Symmetry [2 hours]
Transformations [4 hours]
Applied transformations e.g. tangrams [2 hours]
Using geometry to describe patterns in the environment [2 hours]

Teachers will receive a manual of notes
Number of hours: 22

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]
Temperature [1 hour]

Teachers will receive a manual of notes
Number of hours: 4

Workshops

Perimeter and Area [4 hours]
Volume [2 hours]
Angle measure (Grade 5 and Grade 6 teachers) [2 hours]
Problem solving in measurement [2 hours]

Teachers will receive a manual of notes
Number of hours: 10

Data Handling

Data handling [6 hours]
Probability [2hours]

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

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: 8

Using learner notebooks and recording to facilitate learning
This course focuses on the benefits of regular written practice and the importance of making notes in Mathematics notebooks.
Number of hours: 2

Planning the teaching of mathematics
This course will give an overview of the sequencing and pacing in Section 3 of the Intermediate 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