Meaty mathematics tasks encourage mathematical challenges for students. They also support differentiated learning, collaboration, and creative thinking. These tasks required learners to do more than remember a fact or reproduce a skill.
Meaty mathematics tasks are known as open tasks. They are either open-ended - tasks that involve multiple solutions or open beginning - tasks that involve multiple student creations. Jo Knox, from The Learner First, worked with teachers and students on open beginning tasks.
Using maths money, students were challenged to create and describe a repeating pattern. Being able to identify the unit of repeat was important. They then had to represent their pattern on a number line and add up the amounts of maths money as the pattern continued. Finally, they had to pose a question (they had to be able to answer the question themselves) and find a friend to solve their problem.
By using a range of maths money, including cents (decimals) and place value money (money that includes denominations up to 10,000) this open beginning task provided differentiation for a range of learners.
Our youngest students were able to take part in the same task but used unifix blocks to support their counting and addition.
Collaboration and creativity happened as students worked in pairs to make their repeating patterns and develop their questions.
Teacher voice
Room 5 has been loving the discussNdefend Esti Mystery tasks that Jo showed us. Students are having to estimate an answer then use the clues to eliminate the wrong ones. It has made our maths warm ups more engaging and fun.
Room 7 enjoys a good debate which the open up tasks support.
I did the open up task that Jo modelled with my class. Students enjoyed the task and it encouraged mathematical discussion.
Some students find it difficult to adjust to a task where there is not a set answer. These tasks require effort and creativity.
It is great to be able to work on engaging mathematical challenges with the whole class because they are so easily differentiated.
Next Steps
Making open tasks more of the norm in our mathematics lessons is the goal moving forward for our teachers.
Every child deserves a classroom where they feel valued and well liked by their teacher. This is a goal of mine as it makes a safe place for students to learn and grow. While I enjoy all areas of teaching and learning, mathematics is a particular passion. Supporting students to make connections between mathematical ideas and identify patterns and rules in our number system gets me very excited.
In my classroom students are encouraged to be brave, cooperative, and open to learning. It is a safe place to take a risk. Reflection is important, along with the celebration of student success.
When not at school, time spent mountain biking and exercising my energetic dog keeps me fit for a busy classroom. Helping students learn and develop is at the centre of everything I do and I am happy to continue this journey at Wairakei Primary School.
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