Mathematics Department

Departments

Mathematics

Programmes

Mathematics Department - Programmes

INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMMES

2009

ACE-Learning

This year, all the students the school to the Accelerated Creative E-Learning (ACE) System. The system has over 1 000 online interactive and video lessons available to both teachers and students, giving unlimited access to the same information as many times as required. Students can now study and revise at their own pace, anytime and anywhere, with internet access. Students also view the narrated versions as pre-study materials. This is in line with the Mathematics Department's mission of developing independent learners.

Coursework for Secondary 1 students

The primary aim of the Mathematics programme in Secondary Schools Is to enable students to develop their ability in mathematical problem solving. This includes using and applying Mathematics in practical tasks, in real life problems and within Mathematics itself. To achieve this aim, the Mathematics programme should provide students with opportunities for the development of thinking skills and metacognitive abilities and for mathematical communication, investigative work and problem solving. The coursework will be used for the SA1 computation.

Coursework components are:

1. Performance Assessment Task

2. Journal Writing

3. Common Test (Term 2)

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2009

Authentic Learning Day (Lower Sec)

Objectives

To provide students with the opportunity for experiential learning via hands-on tasks.
To provide students with the opportunity to apply their learning to authentic and meaningful tasks.
To provide students with the opportunity to appreciate the inter-disciplinary nature of their learning.

Sec. 2E/2NA – Authentic Learning

The theme is “The Environment and Us: Harmony or Discord”.

Performance Assessment Tasks

Sec. 2T – Authentic Learning

The theme is “Nutrition and Budgeting”.

Subjects involved are Computer Applications, Home Economics, Mathematics and ScienceShop and Save Supermarket Research

Sec 2E/2NA - Authentic Learning

Theme "The Environment and Us : Harmony or Discord''

Sec. 1 – Authentic Learning

The theme is “Wonders of Ancient Civilisation”.

Pyramid Construction

Lesson Study Algebra: Expansion and Factorisation (April – May 2009)

The Mathematics department collaborated with Assistant Professor Dr Leong Yew Hoong from National Institute of Education, MME on a Lesson Study Project in May 2009 on the module - Algebra: Expansion and Factorisation. A set of manipulatives called AlgeCards were developed from the project, and have greatly helped the students in understanding and grasping the abstract concepts better. 4 teachers from this team shared their Lesson Study journey with 300 pre-service teachers at NIE in May 2009.

The AlgeCards will be used in the teaching of pre-service teachers by Associate Professor Dr Yap Sook Few.

The Lesson Study team has started discussion on the extension of the project (Lesson Study Cycle 1 and 2 for 2 identified Sec. 1E classes) for 2010. The AlgeCards will be used extensively in teaching the entire Algebra module to all Secondary One students. 25 sets will be constructed for each class for all 8 classes of Secondary 1 in 2010.

TLLM Ignite2! Project: Congruency and Similarity (July – August 2009)

The department has been awarded the TLLM Ignite2! Project on Geometry Made Easy. The Geometry module which spans topics such as Congruency and Similarity, Similar Areas and Volumes, Trigonometry and Teaching of Geometrical Proofs (Additional Mathematics) aims to develop students' spatial visualisation, communication and mathematical reasoning through well-designed and interactive lesson units using the Lesson Study Approach. The focus of the design process is on content mastery through enduring understanding.

The Geometry module adopts the intuitive-experimental approach for the teaching and learning of Geometry as proposed in the Mathematics curriculum. Teachers designed and produced lesson plans to provide the students with informal and hands-on learning experiences which allow them to make sense of and find greater meaning in their learning. The mathematics concepts were scaffolded and introduced to the students visually, experientially, inductively and finally deductively.

Lesson Study Geometry: Symmetrical and Geometrical Properties of Circles (Sep – Nov 2009)

The Mathematics department engaged the consultancy services of Assistant Professor Dr Leong Yew Hoong from National Institute of Education, MME on a Lesson Study project in November 2009 on the Geometry module – ‘Symmetrical and Geometrical Properties of Circles’. Lesson plans and worksheets were designed such that students experimented with the Geometer Sketchpad to discover and construct knowledge on the properties of circles.

The Lesson Study team has also started discussion on the extension of the project (Lesson Study Cycle 3 and 4) for 2010. The Geometry module will be used for the teaching of the topic ‘Symmetrical and Geometrical Properties of Circles’ to the Secondary 3 Normal Academic students in 2010.

Singapore Mathematical Olympiad (SMO)

The SMO training sessions were conducted over 10 weeks in Term 2 2009 for selected students from Secondary 2 Express. The training aims to prepare the pupils for the SMO (Junior) in June 2009. The SMO is a very prestigious competition held annually in Singapore to discover and encourage mathematical talents in secondary schools in Singapore.

To prepare the Secondary 1 Express students for the SMO 2009 (Junior), at the end of Term 2, all Secondary 1 Express students sat for a written selection test.

The results of the test were analysed and a group of 40 students were identified for the SMO training sessions in Term

The students who were identified exhibited the aptitude and interest to take on the challenges of a rigorous 10-week training programme.

Mathematics Trail at Singapore Zoological Gardens 2T1

Students from Secondary 2T1 participated in a Mathematics Trail at Singapore Zoological Gardens as post-examination activity after the Mid-Year examination. The students enjoyed the experiential learning as they saw the connections between Mathematics and the natural environment. They were excited also about applying what they had learnt in the classroom when they had to complete a Trail booklet, and answer Mathematics questions.

Number Properties Workshop

All students from Secondary 1 Express and Secondary 1 Normal (Academic) attended a half-day workshop on Number Properties. The intent of the workshop was to strengthen students' understanding of the Number System, and to appreciate better the concepts of divisibility and factorisation. Students were challenged with the non-routine and higher order questions.