MathsTalk by AMSI Schools

Host Leanne McMahon is joined by AMSI Outreach Officer and MathsTalk Twitter chat host, Cass Lowry to discuss the idea of Mathematical Fluency. This conversation stems from a #MathsTalk Twitter chat on the same topic held on November 12th 2020 that led to spirited debate and some great ideas. Links and resources can be found  below and at www.Calculate.org.au Wakelet Collection #MathsTalk Fluencyhttps://wke.lt/w/s/x92941 Jo Boaler (@joboaler) article: Fluency without Fear https://www.youcubed.org/evidence/fluency-without-fear/ Katherin Cartwright (@kath_cartwright) research paper: Analyzing students’ communication and representation of mathematical fluency during group tasks https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0732312320300857?dgcid=author Primary Learning Website: https://primarylearning.com.au/ Greg Fletcher (@gfletchy): Developing Fact Fluency Through Context https://summit.makemathmoments.com/talks/developing-fact-fluency-through-context/ Dan Finkel (@MathforLove): Number Talks https://mathforlove.com/lesson/number-talks/ Ollie Lovell (@ollie_lovell) book: Cognitive Load Theory in Action https://www.amazon.com.au/Oliver-Lovell/e/B08HRPFLDP/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 Calculate resources to help build mathematical fluencyBead Strings: https://calculate.org.au/2018/12/10/bead-strings/ See & Say: https://calculate.org.au/2018/10/03/see-say/ ROWCO: https://calculate.org.au/2018/09/26/rowco/ Bunny Ears: https://calculate.org.au/2018/09/24/bunny-ears/

Have you ever felt the urge to dip your toe in the murky waters of Twitter? In this episode, host, Leanne McMahon talks to Outreach Officer Cass Lowry about how to get started on Twitter and how it can be used as a part of your professional learning. We look at setting up your account, lurking, liking and finally getting involved in Twitter Chats - Especially ours! #MathsTalk 8pm AEST every Thursday. If you'd like further information, drop us an email at choosemaths@amsi.org.au or get onto our website www.calculate.org.au. Check out the following resources: Teachers on Twitter – Why you should join and how to get started: https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2017/apr/20/teachers-on-twitter-why-join-get-started-social-media EduTwitter Chats #TLAPdownunder – Sunday 8pm AEST #aussieED – Sunday 8.30pm AEST #MathsTalk – Thursday 8pm AEST #PrimarySTEMChat – Thursday 8.30pm AEST #whatisschool – Friday 9am AEST Tips for managing a fast-paced Twitter chat (Craig Kemp): http://mrkempnz.com/2015/02/5-tips-for-managing-a-fast-paced-twitter-chat.html Why you should switch from Twitter to Tweetdeck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q1dKe891pw

Hosts Leanne McMahon and Michael O’Connor are  joined by Mike Clapper, former Executive Director and Chief Mathematician at the Australian Mathematics Trust, to talk about geometry and its importance in the Australian Curriculum. We cover everything from why we teach geometry and how to develop geometric reasoning in our students to packing your car boot on camping holidays. Mike has kindly provided some accompanying episode notes which will be available to download through our www.calculate.org.au website along with some links to other related resources.

Host, Marcus Garrett talks to two members of the AMSI Outreach team, Cass Lowry and Michael O'Connor about the important proficiency of reasoning and how we can develop this in students of all ages, from pre-primary to later secondary. Contact us if you have comments or suggestions. ChooseMaths@amsi.org.au Head to www.Calculate.org.au for resources, links, further information and to give feedback.

Dealing with Misconceptions in Geometry This is the first episode in Series 4 for MathsTalk, in Term 3 of 2020 and in this series, we are focusing on Geometry. Host, Leanne McMahon chats with 2018 CHOOSEMATHS Teacher Award winner Sheila Griffin and fellow AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Anna Bock, about common student - and sometimes teacher - misconceptions in Geometry. We discuss how they can be tackled in the maths classroom in ways that engage students and really encourage them to think. Head to www.Calculate.org.au for resources and links

This episode looks at the importance of developing number sense in small children and how this can be done by both teachers and parents. Hosts Leanne McMahon and Marcus Garrett speak with AMSI CHOOSEMATHS award winner, Sarah Rose from the Hunter Valley in NSW. Sarah shares her early experiences with Maths and how these have shaped her attitude to Maths teaching now. She gives some great ideas for the development of number sense in children from babies to later primary years. All resources are listed on the AMSI Schools site, www.calculate.org.au Comment or contact us on Twitter @AMSISchools, join us for the #MathsTalk every Thursday night at 8pm AEST or fill in the form on the podcast page https://calculate.org.au/mathstalk-podcast/ Please excuse the recording quality. It was a very early attempt at Zoom and we are ironing out a few bugs.

In this episode of MathsTalk, Leanne and Marcus chat to recent CHOOSEMATHS Schools Outreach Officer and current secondary mathematics teacher Jacinta Blencowe about why allowing students to talk about their mathematical working and understanding is such a critical element in their maths education. They discuss the ways in which parents and teachers can develop children’s mathematical language and vocabulary and also provide some practical tips, resources and strategies for encouraging useful and productive discourse around mathematical working and problem solving.

Host, Leanne McMahon introduces her fellow Outreach Officers from AMSI Schools and asks them what is their go-to Mathematics activity for children at home. We cover ages 5-16 and give some fun, practical tips for making Maths interesting and relevant for your house-bound mini mathematicians. See www.calculate.org.au for links and information

In this Episode, Marcus Garrett speaks with mathematics education guru Michael Minas about using maths games and activities to engage students during home based learning, precipitated by the Covid-19 crisis during which most Australian classrooms are operating via distance learning. Michael provides parents, caregivers and teachers with both encouragement and some great, practical tips about how to engage - and focus - children and young people during this challenging time.  Please note that due to remote recording under the sudden circumstances of work-from-home arrangements during the Covid-19 crisis, the recording sound quality for this and last episode is not to our usual standard. We are working on gaining access to equipment to ensure future from-home recordings are at the best sound quality possible. Thanks for your understanding.

Host Leanne McMahon talks to AMSI Schools Manager Janine Sprakel and Outreach Officer Marcus Garrett about the features of a good Maths lesson. We look at the structure, content, delivery and context of lessons and how to plan for a sensational learning experience with your students. Join the conversation on @AMSIschools Twitter.

In the first Mathstalk series of the year, the AMSI team looks at starting the year in Mathematics. From setting up your classroom with resources, planning and delivering the best Maths lessons you can, to our favourite games, warmups and fun routines. In today's episode, host Marcus Garrett talks to AMSI Outreach Officers Cass Lowry (primary) and Leanne McMahon (secondary) about what Maths Classrooms need. They discuss must-have manipulatives in both primary and secondary classrooms and also look at On-line resources and Text books.

Host Leanne McMahon chats to AMSI Schools Outreach Officers Nadia Abdelal and Marcus Garrett about multiplication in this final episode in the Multiplication Matters series. They talk everything arrays, how they connect to vertical algorithms as well as why they are important in algebraic expansion and factorisation.

Hosts Marcus Garrett and Nadia Abdelal continue the discussion with Outreach Officer Helen Booth on the teaching of fractions and decimals. This episode focuses on the five fractional constructs and the importance of delivering these in a more conceptual way.

Host Nadia Abdelal and AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Leanne McMahon delve further into multiplicative concepts, with a focus on the pedagogical progressions. They chat about the importance of subitising and how this developmental milestone paves the way for successful multiplicative development.     

Host Marcus Garrett and AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Helen Booth discuss the difficulties that students have with learning fractions and decimals, how this can impact learning and ways to address these.

Host Marcus Garrett and AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Leanne McMahon discuss the difference between ‘knowing multiplication facts’ and ‘multiplicative thinking’. They chat about the developmental sequence of multiplication-related concepts from the early years through to the middle years in the Australian maths curriculum.

In this episode of Maths Talk, we introduce an upcoming professional development event tailored for Maths and STEM teachers as well as career practitioners. Scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the AMSI Industry Day at Latrobe University, Bendigo, offers engaging sessions from university educators and industry professionals to bridge classroom teaching with real-world applications of mathematics. The event includes impactful talks, networking opportunities, and takeaway resources funded by the Invergowrie Foundation. Teachers will leave with practical examples and lesson plans to inspire students and connect curriculum topics with future careers. Register through the AMSI website and join us for a day of learning and connecting. Registrations: https://tinyurl.com/AMSBendigoRego TI Professional Learning: https://education.ti.com/en-au/resources/getting-started-with-ti-technology Previous Industry Days: https://amsi.org.au/amsi-industry-day-for-teachers/ (Click on relevant day) Classroom resources: https://amsi.org.au/2024-teacher-professional-learning-in-industry-day/ 

In this episode of MathsTalk, Leanne McMahon speaks with Dr Hong Xu, author of the Indigenous content for the upcoming AMSI textbook series, and Professor Rowena Ball, leader of the 'Mathematics Without Borders' initiative. Together, they discuss how and why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander insights into maths are being incorporated into the Australian Mathematics Curriculum, what that looks like in practice, and how teachers can confidently bring this content into their classrooms. MathsTalk is proudly sponsored by Texas Instruments Australia. https://education.ti.com/en-au   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: - Xu, H., & Ball, R. (2024). Indigenous Mathematics: From Mainstream Misconceptions to Educational Enrichment. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 24(2), 160-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42330-024-00321-5 - Mathematics Without Borders: https://www.anu.edu.au/research/research-initiatives/mathematics-without-borders - AMSI Textbook Series: https://schools.amsi.org.au Texas Instruments teacher professional learning: https://education.ti.com/en-au/professional-development/upcoming-pd Texas Instruments website: https://education.ti.com/en-au/  - Australian Curriculum Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Histories & Cultures: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/curriculum-information/understand-this-cross-curriculum-priority/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-histories-and-cultures 

In this special Pi Day episode of MathsTalk, host Leanne McMahon, AMSI’s school maths advisor, takes listeners on an engaging journey into the world of Pi. She explains what Pi is and how it is used in basic geometry, explores its irrational and transcendental nature, and discusses its importance in both mathematics and real-world applications. Leanne also shares fun facts about Pi—from ancient approximations to modern Pi recitation contests—and offers a variety of creative activities for teachers and parents to celebrate Pi Day in the classroom.

In this episode of MathsTalk, host Sarah Ramantanis welcomes Leanne McMahon to discuss the newly released AMSI Discipline Report 2024. Leanne highlights key findings, including declining student engagement in mathematics, the critical shortage of qualified maths teachers, and the significant equity gaps affecting disadvantaged and regional schools. We discuss actionable steps for educators, such as fostering real-world relevance in maths, up-skilling teachers through professional development, and promoting higher-level maths participation to prepare students for STEM careers. Leanne also emphasises the role of parents and schools in creating a supportive mathematical culture. Tune in for practical insights, inspiring solutions, and a roadmap to improve maths education across Australia. Discipline Report: https://amsi.org.au/resources/reports/ (Includes all AMSI reports) Out of Field teaching report (and others): https://schools.amsi.org.au/publications-and-reports/ Maths lessons including career context: https://calculate.org.au/industry-day/  EM Maths Consulting: https://www.emmaths.com.au/ Sheila Griffin Maths: https://sheilagriffinmaths.com.au/ Contact Leanne: Leanne@amsi.org.au