Mathematics

Williamstown Primary School nurtures confident and capable mathematical thinkers. Students connect classroom learning with real-life applications, building on prior knowledge while being taught new concepts and skills tailored to their needs (differentiation). Lessons incorporate a mix of games, hands-on activities, collaborative tasks, open-ended problems, investigations, and targeted skill practice through our instructional model.

What is Explored in Maths at WPS

Aligned with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, students engage with:

• Key Concepts: Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics, and Probability (from Year 3 onwards).
• Big Ideas: Developing number sense ("trusting the count"), place value, and multiplicative thinking.
• Skills Development:
• Understanding concepts and building fluency.
• Explicitly teaching problem-solving strategies.
• Reasoning and explaining ideas clearly.
• Developing vocabulary by unpacking mathematical terminology.

Williamstown Primary Mathematics Instructional Model

Maths lessons follow a structured approach inspired by the Launch-Explore model, focusing on understanding, fluency, problem solving, and reasoning. Lessons balance explicit teaching with opportunities for students to explore rich, open-ended tasks and deepen their understanding at various points throughout the session.

Williamstown Primary prioritises the following big ideas in number in the prescribed year levels: