Maths Counts 2015

““I thought today was brilliant. This has given me lots of simple ideas to keep students focused and to ensure student learning.” – Teacher feedback from Maths Counts 2015

Maths featured prominently last weekend in UCD as the Project Maths Development Team hosted their second conference: Maths Counts 2015.

Central to the conference, were the presentations made by teachers involved in the Reflections on Practice initiative on teaching and learning mathematics in post-primary schools. Other significant developments dealt with at the conference which are at the core of professional practice at post-primary level were: the relation between Summative and Formative assessment, Key Skills and the Literacy & Numeracy strategy.

Thanks to our keynote speaker – Professor Geoffrey Wake – who gave a comprehensive overview of his experience of teaching students to be effective problem solvers. Many of Geoffrey’s insights really resonated with teachers, especially those involved in Reflections on Practice.

Thanks also to our guest speakers from The State Examinations Commission, the National Council for Curriculum Assessment and Maths Inspectorate who provided teachers with valuable insights into assessment, curriculum development and self evaluation.

Thank you to all our exhibitors and particularly our main sponsor, Microsoft, who took the time to talk to teachers about all the invaluable teaching resources which are available.

A final thanks to the teachers who participated in the Reflections on Practice initiative, for their commitment, time and professional input over the last number of months. Their visionary presentations released new energies at Maths Counts 2015.

Materials presented at the conference are available below.

Conference videos

Keynote address by Prof. Geoffrey Wake

Professor Wake outlines his experience of developing students' problem solving.

Introducing quadratic graphs

Sean MacCormaic discusses how to get students to understand quadratics for themselve...

Introducing simultaneous equations

Natalie Noone gives an overview of teaching simultaneous equations.

Appropriate use of exam questions

Pearse Ryan discusses the appropriate use of exam questions in teaching.

Teaching problem solving

Kevin Carey discusses the teaching of problem solving.

Presentations by guest speakers

Keynote address by Professor Geoffrey Wake.

Lessons for problem solving

NCCA on key maths skills

See one teacher's approach to teaching students key maths skills.

Lesson plans developed by teachers

Lesson plan 1

Teaching algebraic multiplication of a(bx+c)

Lesson plan 2

Using arrays for algebraic multiplication and division.

Lesson plan 3

Introducing quadratics through problem solving.

Lesson plan 4

Strategies for ordering fractions.

Lesson plan 5

Using the distributive law to simplify expressions such as (x+a)(x+a)

Lesson plan 6

Making sense of 'invert and multiply' when dividing fractions.

Lesson plan 7

Coordinate Geometry - thinking of coordinates as distances.

Lesson plan 8

Fostering independent learning in algebra using GeoGebra

Lesson plan 9

Multiplying binomial expressions using an array.

Lesson plan 10

Proportional reasoning - giving students an intuitive understanding through problem solving.

Lesson plan 11

Solving simultaneous equations.

Lesson plan 12

Valuing the variable - the hidden code.

Lesson plan 13

The effective classroom use of exam questions.

Lesson plan 14

Teaching the difference of two squares for understanding.

Lesson plan 15

Equivalent fractions

Lesson plan 16

Descrambling algebra

Lesson plan 17

Visualising and making sense of 'invert and multiply' for fraction division.

Lesson plan 18

Using a growing pattern to introduce the notion of a variable.

Lesson plan 19

Introducing problem solving.

Lesson plan 20

Walking the talk: Generating and interpreting graphs using a motion sensor

Lesson plan 21

My first algebra class.