Essential to teachers' planning are decisions regarding what should be taught. Curriculum documents are the most obvious authority. But what is a "curriculum document" for a mathematics teacher in Australia? Are there other credible sources of information that Australian teachers draw on when deciding what to teach? This article examines the…

In recent years, there has been greater attention in research and professional development work to discussion of the kinds of knowledge teachers need to teach effectively in the mathematics classroom. It seems reasonable that in planning at the school level, teaching team level and then specifically for a given lesson, teachers might have a sense…

Equivalence is mostly associated with the strand of Number and Algebra and is fundamental in both of the substrands. Equivalence is considered a key and foundational concept of algebra, and whereas an assumption might be made that equivalence is a relatively "easy" concept; studies have shown that when asked to balance an equation such as "8 + 4 =…

The everyday use of "proficient" carries connotations of having reached a level of expertise. One would not describe someone stumbling through a rendition of "Chopsticks" as a proficient piano player; but novice pianists work on musical proficiencies--practicing scales or playing a polka--in parallel. They do not put off playing the polka until…

It is a common belief that the incorporation of computer technology into mathematics teaching and learning motivates and engages students. However, research into the use of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) in mathematics classrooms has revealed some issues that could negatively impact on student engagement as a result of how they…

In 2010, St. Leonards Primary School in Tasmania, along with other selected schools throughout Australia, trialled the draft Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. Mathematics had been a whole school focus at St. Leonards Primary School for several years, and the school found that the opportunity to be part of the trial strongly connected with their…

Most teachers feel confident espousing the benefits of using picture books in English lessons, talking about the importance of using the illustrations to enhance the text, engaging students and fostering a love and appreciation of literature. How many teachers passionately advocate the use of these same picture books in mathematics lessons? This…

The Task Types and Mathematics Learning project is investigating the opportunities and constraints that teachers experience when using particular types of mathematics tasks. Some assumptions underlying this aspect of the project are: (1) that teachers seeking a balanced curriculum choose to use a mix of types of tasks; (2) open-ended questions…

Early childhood teachers know that children arrive at school with an enormous range of mathematical capabilities, but this is not always reflected in mathematics curricula that are offered. The diverse nature of the experiences young children have encountered before commencing school and their differing abilities to articulate their thoughts…

The fortunes of chance and data have fluctuated in the mathematics curriculum in Australia since their emergence in the National Statement in the early 1990s. Their appearance in Australia followed closely on similar moves in the United States. In both countries the topics, taken together, were given a section status equal to other areas of the…

This article tells the story of one student who chooses her personal interest in pigeons and their lifestyle to demonstrate her understanding of measurement concepts. The student's work is used to consider the possibilities for assessment afforded by tasks designed within reform-based curricula. Anita (pseudonym) was a Grade 6 student who was part…

When asked to calculate the area of a particular shape, one student responded by asking, "Is that the outside or the inside?" while another student replied, "I think it's the one where you put a little 2 next to it." Both of these responses indicate a lack of conceptual understanding of area and reinforce the research findings that students…

Gradually Internet-based educational resources are making their way into the school mathematics curriculum. Online resources are potentially useful compared to normal courseware because of their abundance, availability at no cost, platform-free accessibility, and wide reaching accessibility. On the other hand, a major limitation of online…

As educators it is crucial to cater to and meet all learning needs of students, including the needs of gifted and talented students. It is highly probable that each year in their classrooms teachers will have students that are advanced in mathematics and this will pose a challenge for them as teachers to meet their learning needs. Johnson (2000)…

The integration of information and communication technology (ICT) into school educational practice is seen as being crucial to prepare "young people to participate in and contribute to an information society that requires high levels of literacy, numeracy, technological competence and a spirit of creativity and enterprise". In National Literacy…