At Mother Teresa Primary School, our Mathematics Program is firmly underpinned by the Victorian Curriculum version 2.0 and strongly guided by the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Vision for Instruction.
The Victorian Curriculum version 2.0 serves as the developmental framework for our Mathematics program. It provides the essential sequence of learning outcomes that our teachers use to plan and scaffold experiences appropriate for each class and student. Throughout their time at Mother Teresa, students develop comprehensive knowledge and skills in the following strands:
- Number
- Algebra
- Space
- Measurement
- Statistics
- Probability (Years 3–6)
The MACS Vision for Instruction provides the guiding principles for the teaching and learning of Mathematics, ensuring that our classroom practices are informed by evidence-based strategies and the body of research referred to as the Science of Learning. We are committed to a consistent, evidence-based approach, designed to cultivate deep conceptual understanding, essential numeracy skills, and sophisticated problem-solving abilities in every student. Guided by the MACS Vision for Instruction, our teachers employ research-proven strategies that align with how students learn best. This instructional framework includes:
Explicit Instruction: We utilize a structured model of teaching that includes clear and guided demonstrations, transitioning from teacher modelling (“I Do”) and guided collaborative practice (“We Do”) to independent mastery (“You Do”). This approach reduces cognitive load, allowing students to master new concepts with confidence and addresses misconceptions in real time.
Dedicated Daily Instruction: Students engage in one hour of targeted Mathematics every day, ensuring the regular practice and continuity required for long-term retention.
Strategic Lesson Sequencing: Teachers plan purposeful, scaffolded experiences that build a smooth transition from prior knowledge to new concepts.
Daily Review & Spaced Retrieval: We know that if you don’t use it, you lose it! Every math lesson starts with a quick Daily Review to refresh what was learned previously. We also use Spaced Retrieval, where we intentionally revisit topics weeks or months later. This acts like a ‘workout for the brain’, moving skills from short-term memory into long-term mastery.
Checking for Understanding: We prioritise real-time feedback and frequent checks during every lesson. This allows teachers to address misconceptions immediately, ensuring no student is left behind.
Our instructional approach follows a deliberate transition from the Explicit Instruction model to developing Procedural Fluency, and finally to Real-World Application. When introducing new concepts, we use the more highly structured modelling and guided practice of explicit instruction to build a solid foundation. Once students demonstrate understanding and accuracy, the focus shifts to developing fluency, ensuring they can recall facts and apply strategies with automaticity. With this firm baseline established, students are then empowered to transfer their skills to complex, real- life problem-solving situations, where they can use their mathematical skills and understandings to navigate and solve real-life challenges.