Conference synopsis_FINAL_20260815 - Flipbook - Page 100
SESSION E: Friday, 11am-12pm (cont.)
E20 SIMPLE WAYS TO ENGAGE ALL
LEARNERS
Sub-category: Mathematical content and concepts
Marissa Cashmore, Rivercrest Christian College/
Motivating all Maths Learners to Succeed, Cindy Perez,
Rivercrest Christian College
Early Childhood - Y8
Join us for an engaging and practical workshop designed
for primary teachers who want to build confident, curious
and joyful mathematicians. Through hands-on games,
rich mathematical tasks and powerful lesson hooks, we will
model ways to spark student engagement while deepening
conceptual understanding. Participants will explore strategies
for differentiation that support all learners to access and
succeed in mathematics. We will also share ideas for creating
a positive classroom culture where risk-taking, collaboration
and mathematical thinking thrive. Most importantly, this
workshop celebrates the joy of maths.
Key takeaways:
1. Design engaging mathematics experiences using games,
rich tasks and lesson hooks that capture students’ interest and
deepen conceptual understanding.
2. Implement effective differentiation strategies that support
diverse learners to access, participate in and succeed in
mathematics.
3. Create a classroom culture where mathematical thinking
thrives, fostering confidence, collaboration, perseverance and
a positive disposition towards mathematics.
demonstrated broader potential across mainstream
classrooms. The initiative centres on a ‘Problem of the Week’
for students in Years 3–6. Students watch a short video
presenting a mathematical challenge, solve the problem
independently or collaboratively, and then create a video
explaining their reasoning and strategies.
This process strengthens mathematical language, confidence,
and conceptual understanding while providing teachers with
valuable insights into student thinking and misconceptions.
Early trials revealed strong benefits for learners across all
ability levels, with increased engagement, accountability, and
mathematical communication.
In this presentation, Mark Mckelson will share key learnings
from trialling the approach, while Peter Sullivan will explore
the implications for future mathematics classroom practice.
Key takeaways:
1. Practical ways to strengthen mathematical reasoning and
communication through rich problem-solving tasks.
2. How student video explanations can reveal thinking, build
confidence, and improve engagement.
3. Insights into designing low-floor, high-ceiling maths
experiences that support learners of all ability levels while
promoting deeper understanding and meaningful classroom
discussion.
E22 BEYOND THE RIGHT ANSWER BUILDING
MATHEMATICAL THINKERS
Sub-category: Engaging and including every learner
E21 WHEN STUDENTS EXPLAIN MATHS: THE
POWER OF VIDEO AND REASONING
This is a commercial presentation
Sub-category: Mathematical content and concepts
Mark Mckelson, T2L Education, Peter Sullivan, Monash
University
Y3 - Y8
This session explores an innovative approach to mathematics
teaching and learning designed to build deeper student
understanding through reasoning, problem-solving, and
communication.
Originally developed as an extension program for highperforming mathematics students, the approach quickly
100
Nikki D’Antonio and Taryn Volpe, Limitless Maths
F - Y6
Beyond the Right Answer invites teachers to rethink what
success in mathematics really looks like. This engaging
workshop explores how we can move beyond correct answers
and focus on developing confident and capable mathematical
thinkers. Through rich tasks, puzzles, discussion, and
reflection, participants will experience learning from a primary
student’s perspective and uncover the powerful thinking
beneath the surface. Together, we will explore how to create
opportunities for reasoning, problem solving, and meaningful
mathematical conversations while still building strong
mathematical knowledge and skills. This session highlights
practical ways to respond to student thinking, use mistakes as
valuable learning opportunities, and foster a classroom culture
where curiosity, persistence, and risk taking thrive.
