Count Me In Too is a professional development program developed to support the effective teaching of mathematics in years K-6. The program melds findings from research about how children learn mathematics, with research on effective professional development. It has three major components:
"Count Me In Too" uses a team-based approach to professional development with a focus on practice in the classroom. Teachers come to understand students' thinking in mathematics by carrying out individual interviews and using the information from this assessment as a starting place for teaching. The research-based learning framework then provides clear guidance for instruction so that it can build upon the most advanced thinking that students can demonstrate. Although "Count Me In Too" started with a sole focus on number learning, it has expanded into other aspects of mathematics learning, such as measurement and geometry. In each case, the focus has been on using a synthesis of the research to provide clear direction for teaching.
"The program has made me a very confident maths teacher and also a teacher who enjoys teaching mathematics enormously. I found the children were very excited with the activities and enthusiastic about maths. They love the different activities that were set because they were set at the right level, thanks to the assessment. It's a very worthwhile project."
© State of New South Wales through the Department of Education and Training, 2009.
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