Middle School Cluster
Middle School In-service at Oakey State High School, August 2004
Oakey State High School HOD Maths wanted to have his Maths staff taken through an introduction to the new 1-10 Mathematics Syllabus. He contacted me to ask me to facilitate.
I asked for an after-school session prior to the full day, where he planned to take the entire maths staff off class for a half day each. The local primary school, Oakey State School, was invited to take part, and they sent their Year 6 & 7 teachers to the sessions.
The first after-school session involved the High School teachers only, and we did hands-on activities which were physically active and relevant to their junior classes. The feedback that I received was that it was breaking down the barriers as some of those teachers were very resistant to the idea of change.
The full-day was divided into two approximately equal sessions with half the secondary teachers, plus one year 6 and one year 7 teacher from the primary school. We did some group activities followed by some ‘input’ of the structure and intent of the new syllabus. Next we played a couple of maths games and explored an open-ended investigation to draw out the implications of a constructivist approach to teaching.
My intention was to put the teachers in the situation where they were exploring new territory as learners and challenging their comfort zone but with relatively simple Maths concepts. There was plenty of time for discussion and some fairly insightful comments were made.
The concept of giving the opportunity to demonstrate levels of achievement (mastery) were pointed out as we completed and reflected on the activities. The afternoon session was a repeat for the other half of the maths staff, and different Year 6 and 7 teachers. Some of the activities were the same, but deliberately, a different challenge was presented to this group.
The after-school session (an hour) was comprised of a report back from each of the groups and general discussion. The conditions of being granted the submission were that the teachers would feel that it was worthwhile leaving their classes for a half day and that they felt that they could begin to approach the new syllabus in a planned cooperative fashion with some confidence.
This was achieved, and the feedback was very positive.
Feedback after combined upper primary and secondary workshops:
One of the best workshops I’ve ever been to. Lots of practical strategies and learning aids.
Jan knew what she was talking about, and the information she gave was practical and concise.
It was a very worthwhile workshop. I feel it would be very beneficial to attend further workshops conducted by Jan.
Jan organised and ran the workshop efficiently. Everyone was pleased with what they got out of it.
The workshop not only provided us with ideas and new ways of looking at things, but also has enthused staff to ‘kick on’ (to the new Syllabus) since the workshop. Thank you, Jan, for a great job.
Bob Baguley, HOD Maths and Maths staff, Oakey SHS