At Oakwood Primary School, we believe mathematics should be engaging, purposeful and connected across all year levels. We want students to see themselves as capable and confident mathematicians who can apply their skills both in the classroom and in everyday life. Our approach combines explicit teaching, opportunities for practice and application, and hands on activities that build fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills. From exploring shapes and measurement in the early years, to applying fractions, decimals, and percentages in upper primary, students are encouraged to think critically, explain their reasoning and use mathematical language to make sense of the world around them. Our goal is to create a safe learning environment where students can make progress, feel confident to take risks and develop into successful learners.
Effective Lesson Design
At the beginning of each mathematics lesson, teachers deliver short daily review sessions to consolidate prior learning. These sessions give students the opportunity to practise previously taught skills, strengthen long term retention and build automaticity with core concepts. To ensure full participation, teachers use a range of strategies that maximise engagement, provide immediate feedback and highlight where support or extension is needed. Daily reviews also enable teachers to identify misconceptions quickly, celebrate progress, and adjust instruction to meet the needs of the students. This consistent approach reflects the Teach Well model, ensuring all students benefit from structured routines that support confidence and long term success.
Daily Reviews
At the beginning of each mathematics lesson, teachers deliver short daily review sessions to consolidate prior learning. These sessions give students the opportunity to practise previously taught skills, strengthen long term retention and build automaticity with core concepts. To ensure full participation, teachers use a range of strategies that maximise engagement, provide immediate feedback and highlight where support or extension is needed. Daily reviews also enable teachers to identify misconceptions quickly, celebrate progress, and adjust instruction to meet the needs of the students. This consistent approach reflects the Teach Well model, ensuring all students benefit from structured routines that support confidence and long term success.
Maths Menu
The Oakwood Maths Menu is a collection of twelve engaging activities taught across Kindergarten to Year Six. These activities are hands on, interactive and designed to be adapted at different year levels to suit curriculum content. Developed by staff, the menu provides activities that can be integrated into mathematics learning each day, creating consistency across the school while still giving every child the chance to be challenged and extended.
The Maths Menu includes Think Boards, Which One Doesn’t Belong, Shake and Spill, Children’s Literature, Paul Swan Spinner Games, Barrier Games, Dice Games, Unifix Cubes, Numero, Bead Strings, Tangrams and Four to the Floor. These activities bring variety and enjoyment to maths lessons and complement explicit teaching by allowing students to practise and apply their skills in creative ways.
Assessment and Feedback
Student progress is monitored closely through a range of assessments, enabling teachers to provide timely and targeted feedback. This ensures every student is supported to meet their learning goals and challenged to achieve their personal best. By reflecting on their growth, students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and celebrate the progress they make along the way.
Connecting Maths Across Learning
We encourage students to see mathematics as more than just numbers. It is about thinking critically, solving problems and recognising patterns in the world. Mathematics is integrated into Oakwood Learning as well as inquiry projects and real life contexts, helping students build a love of learning and an appreciation for how maths shapes their everyday lives. By embedding maths across the curriculum in a safe and supportive learning environment, we prepare students to thrive as confident, capable learners.
