Mathematics and Statistics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in data, space and time. Students are equipped with effective means for investigating, interpreting, explaining, and making sense of the world in which they live.
Mathematicians and statisticians use symbols, graphs, and diagrams to help them find and communicate patterns and relationships, and create models to represent both real-life and hypothetical situations. These situations are drawn from a wide range of social, cultural, scientific, technological, health, environmental, and economic contexts.
KHS MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS FACULTY
Mission Statement
Motivate and inspire all students to achieve their best mathematically in real life, and their future careers, and become adults who contribute to their community.
Vision
Kaiapoi High Mathematics Department is committed to providing a high quality education that supports a range of opportunities in a learning environment where relationships are paramount.
Key Values
Positivity Participation Perseverence Problem Solving
By studying Mathematics and Statistics, students develop the ability to think creatively, critically, strategically and logically. They learn to structure and organise, to carry out procedures flexibly and accurately, to process and communicate information, and to enjoy intellectual challenge.
“As a mathematician, I’m often challenged to come up with compelling reasons to study mathematics. If the questioner is serious, I reply that there are three reasons or, more accurately, three broad classes of reasons to study mathematics. Only the first and most basic class is practical. It pertains to job skills and the needs of science and technology. The second concerns the understandings that are essential to an informed and effective citizenry. The last class of reasons involves considerations of curiosity, beauty, playfulness, perhaps even transcendence and wisdom.” [Paulos, A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper]
The Mathematics Faculty staff for 2020 are:
In Year 9 all classes have one hour, or the equivalent of, devoted to the development of Numeracy skills and strategies.
This course aims to help students develop a range of strategies for dealing with mathematical problems and to nurture confidence in their own mathematical ability as well as foster a sense of personal achievement and develop concepts and attitudes, which will help them cope confidently with the mathematics of everyday life.
Numeracy is an essential mathematical skill. Achievement is related to the Number Framework and has two main sections. The strategy section describes the mental processes students use to estimate answers and solve operational problems with numbers. The knowledge section describes the key items of knowledge that students need to learn.
Grades range from (a little numerate) 1 to 8 (very numerate), except for forward and backward sequencing, which only goes to level 6.
The school implements the National Mathematics Curriculum with an emphasis on basic numeracy skills in Year 9. Year 9 is based on Level 4 of the National Curriculum although individual students can be working at a range of Levels within the Curriculum.
In Year 9 students are timetabled for four hours per week. One of these hours is for Numeracy.
Year 9 students have the opportunity to participate in Cantamath activities, the Australian Maths competition and the Otago University Junior Maths competition.
Assessment will include both pretests to ascertain student’s present knowledge and summative testing to evaluate the progress that has been made.
All students are expected to have a scientific calculator. We recommend the Casio fx-82AUPlus.
TOPICS COVERED
There are 3 strands in the curriculum which are separated into topics. The following gives a very broad indication of the work covered in Year 9 Mathematics:
Number/Algebra Strand
Numeracy – mental strategies for solving number problems without a calculator
Number – developing an understanding of numbers, accuracy, efficiency and confidence in calculating and the ability to estimate and approximate.
Algebra – recognising patterns, developing the ability to think abstractly and to communicate mathematical relationships.
Measurement/Geometry Strand
Measurement – developing knowledge and understanding of systems of measurement, use of instruments.
Geometry – developing spatial awareness, the use of models as aids to solving practical problems.
Statistics/Probability Strand
Statistics – collecting, organising, analysing, presenting and interpreting data
Probability – finding the probability of everyday events.
Mathematical Processes – problem solving, reasoning and communicating mathematical ideas is covered across all strands.
In Year 10 Mathematics we encourage students to explore mathematics, to find out what problems they can solve and along the way develop the skills necessary to achieve well in NCEA, survive in the real world and be independent thinkers.
Year 10 is based on Level 5 of the National Mathematics Curriculum although individual students can be working at a range of levels within the Curriculum. Year 10 students are timetabled for three hours of Mathematics per week.
Year 10 students have the opportunity to participate in Cantamath activities, the Australian Maths competition and the Junior Maths competition.
Assessment will include both pretests to ascertain student’s present knowledge and summative testing to evaluate the progress that has been made.
All students are expected to have a scientific calculator. We recommend the Casio fx-82AUPlus.
TOPICS COVERED
There are 3 strands in the curriculum which are separated into topics. The following gives a very broad indication of the work covered in Year 10:
Number/Algebra Strand
Number – developing an understanding of numbers, accuracy, efficiency and confidence in calculating and the ability to estimate and approximate.
Algebra – recognising patterns, developing the ability to think abstractly and to communicate mathematical relationships.
Measurement/Geometry Strand
Measurement – developing knowledge and understanding of systems of measurement, use of instruments.
Geometry – developing spatial awareness, the use of models as aids to solving practical problems. Pythagoras and Trigonometry
Statistics/Probability Strand
Statistics – Using the Statistical Enquiry cycle: collecting, organising, analysing, presenting and interpreting data
Probability – finding the probability of everyday events
Mathematical Processes – problem solving, reasoning and communicating mathematical ideas is covered across all strands.
The Level 1 Mathematics courses contribute credits towards Level 1 NCEA, the NCEA Numeracy requirement and the University Entrance Numeracy requirement. The NCEA Numeracy requirement at Level 1 means students must achieve at least 10 credits in Numeracy standards to gain endorsement. Numeracy credits can be achieved in some other subjects as well as Mathematics. The University Entrance requirement is 14 Mathematics credits at Level 1 or higher.
NCEA Level 1 Mathematics at Kaiapoi High School is split into two courses. Each course allows students to achieve NCEA Level 1 credits and is designed to allow students the experience of challenge and success in mathematics.
Level 1 Mathematics is designed for those intending to continue their studies in Mathematics, Science, Technology, Business or the Social Sciences. It incorporates a high level of mathematics and leads to Level 2 Mathematics with Calculus and Level 2 Mathematics with Statistics in Year 12. To have the required foundation knowledge for success in this course students should be working at Level 5 or higher of the curriculum at the end of Year 10.
Level 1 Numeracy is for students who find mathematics challenging, or those prefer to work at a slower pace, and gives them the mathematic skills they may need in day-to-day living. To have the required foundation knowledge for success in this course students should be working at or below Level 4 of the curriculum. This course offers a maximum of 14 credits through either Numeracy Unit Standards or Achievement Standards. It is designed to ensure that students gain the numeracy requirement for NCEA.
An understanding of Mathematics is important in business, commerce and industry. Most employers regard Mathematics as an essential skill for employees to have. In tertiary education, Mathematics is a prerequisite to entry in most of the courses being offered. The following courses provide for the development of these essential skills in preparing students for their future beyond school.
At Kaiapoi High we offer two Mathematics courses at Level 2:
Level 2 Mathematics with Calculus
This course extends work done in Level 1 Mathematics in topics such as algebra, trigonometry and co-ordinate geometry, but also introduces calculus for the first time. It aims to prepare pupils for the study of Mathematics with Calculus at NCEA Level 3 and equip them with the skills to tackle a wider variety of problems in a number of subject areas.
Level 2 Mathematics with Statistics
This course extends work done in Level 1 Mathematics in topics such as number, measurement, geometry and has a special focus on statistics and probability. It aims to prepare pupils for the study of Mathematics with Statistics at NCEA Level 3 and equip them with the skills to tackle a wider variety of problems in a number of subject areas.
Level 3 Mathematics with Calculus
This course further develops calculus and its applications, together with algebra, trigonometry and geometry. Pupils continuing on to University should note that Stage 1 Mathematics papers assume students have reached a competency level in Mathematics with Calculus. Any pupil considering majoring in any of the subjects Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Engineering, Economics or Management Science at University or who will need Mathematics as part of a Chemistry or Computer Science course are recommended to take Mathematics with Calculus.
Level 3 Mathematics with Statistics
This course provides a sound basis in statistical theory. Content consists of probability theory, data analysis and organisation, probability distributions, time series and statistical estimation, computational methods and mathematical modelling. Calculators and computers are used extensively.
