The 2014Ballarat Learning for Life Mathematics Project:

An ACU community engagement activity in partnership with The Smith Family, Lumen Christi Primary School, Phoenix College Redan Campus, Sebastopol Primary School, Dr Ann Gervasoni, Pauline Cassar, Stephanie Cooper, Lauren Cottam, Jordyn Dargaville, Cassandra Guarracino, Joanna Hayman, Kate Hughes, Tamara Lane, Bridget Liston, Jaclyn Livingstone, Alice Marquand, Holly Menzies, Jenna Mitchell, Clare Nolan, Ashlea O'Connor, Meaghan Peters, Sage Pyke, Jessie Rogers, Justina Shanahan, Emily Spiteri, Jessica Symons, Madeleine Tapscott, Laura Toohey, Georgia Watts and Jenna Wittick. Introduction Twenty-five Australian Catholic University Preservice teachers in Ballarat are making an important contribution to assisting children to learn mathematics successfully. Supervised by Dr Ann Gervasoni of ACU, they have assessed primary school students using the Mathematics Assessment Interview, (see photos below) and then developed individual learning plans (ILPs) designed to promote these children’s learning. These ILPs are provided to The Smith Family staff in Ballarat for distribution to the students’ parents, classroom teachers and The Smith Family tutors.

Children Receive Certificates for Attending University for the Maths Assessment Interview

The Mathematics Assessment Interview Day

ACU Pre-service teachers assessing children using the Mathematics Assessment Interview

Parent Mathematics Workshops The pre-service teachers also researched, planned and ran a parent workshop designed to assist parents to help their children learn mathematics at home. The ideas focused on number concepts, addition and subtraction strategies, multiplication and division strategies, measuring time, measuring length , measuring mass and geometry. A focus for the workshop was mathematics games that assist children to learn. The pre-service teachers produced brochures that provided ideas for the parents to use at home. The parents were also given a certificate to acknowledge their participation. Parent Workshop activities for measuring Length

Parent Workshop activities for Number and Quantity

Parent Workshop activities for Geometry

Parent Workshop activities for Measuring Time

Parent Workshop activities for measuring Mass

Maths Clubs As part of their Numeracy In the Early Years unit, the pre-service teachers at ACU conduct three after school Maths Clubs for approximately 60 children. The Maths Clubs take place in partnership with three schools, Lumen Christi Primary School, Sebastopol Primary School and Phoenix College Redan Campus, and The Smith Family. Each ACU pre-service teacher works as a Maths Buddy for 2-3 students and develops a specialised curriculum based on games specifically aimed at improving the confidence and knowledge of their young Maths Buddies. Parents, teachers, children and pre-service teachers alike have been thrilled with the positive and mutually beneficial benefits outcomes of the Maths Clubs. The pre-service teachers have particularly appreciated the opportunity for their work and expertise to be put to direct use in the community, rather than working on hypothetical assignments and learning activities.

ACU Pre-service teachers who run the Sebastopol Maths Club

ACU Pre-service teachers who run the Redan Maths Club

ACU Pre-service teachers who run the Luman Christi Maths Club.