At Mater Dei Catholic Primary School, we teach Mathematics from the NSW Mathematics K-10 Syllabus. We use Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU) to monitor student learning in Number, to guide our teaching so we can ensure that students work on tasks that provide suitable challenges to drive their learning.
Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU) is an evidence-based, whole school approach for the teaching and learning of Mathematics. It is an essential element of our school to continually improve mathematical outcomes for students through the development of conceptual understanding of Mathematics.
The whole school approach emphasises quality classroom teaching and learning of Mathematics. The Mathematics Assessment Interview (MAI) is undertaken by every student in our diocesan primary schools at the beginning of each year. The MAI data provides valuable information for classroom teachers that allows their planned learning experiences to be targeted to the needs of their learners.
We recognise that for some students this may not be sufficient to enable them to thrive mathematically and may require more targeted support with their Mathematics learning at different points in their schooling. EMU Specialist Teachers are qualified specialists with a deep understanding of the learning process of Number and provide intervention for the most mathematically vulnerable students. The highly effective EMU intervention accelerates growth in conceptual understanding for the most mathematically vulnerable students to enable them to access the classroom curriculum.
The Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU) Intervention Program builds on and is coordinated with classroom mathematics programs but involves additional levels of support and teaching aimed at accelerating students’ mathematics learning. Each level of support represents an increase in intensity of teaching and assistance offered to a student by the EMU specialist teacher.
The three levels are:
Level 1. Advice provided to classroom teachers supplemented with Individual Learning Plans which outline learning goals and experiences that will boost students’ learning. Ongoing monitoring of each student’s progress is also provided.
Level 2. Advice provided for classroom teachers and in-class support for students supplemented with Individual Learning Plans outlining learning goals and experiences that will boost students’ learning; and
Level 3. EMU intervention program for groups of 3 students (10-20 weeks) that is planned and taught by the specialist teacher and coordinated with a student’s classroom mathematics program.
