Conference synopsis_FINAL_20260815 - Flipbook - Page 48
SESSION A: Thursday, 11am-12pm (cont.)
Key takeaways:
Participants will take away practical ways to strengthen
language at three levels:
1. Leaders naming and modelling instructional moves
2. Teachers noticing and prompting precise mathematical
vocabulary
3. Students having daily opportunities to represent and
explain thinking with precise language, moving from answers
to reasoning
A04 ENHANCING STUDENT LEARNING
THROUGH EFFECTIVE USE OF MINIWHITEBOARDS
Sub-category: Engaging and including every learner
Emma Sallis and Ashhad Ibrahim, Brighton Grammar
School
Y7 - Y10
Teachers may check for understanding, with the best of
intentions, by saying ‘Any questions?’, ‘Did you all get that?’,
or ‘Does that make sense?’—only to be met with silence
(Fisher & Frey). In these moments, many students remain
passive, and if students are not thinking for themselves, they
are not learning. Traditional questioning approaches often
rely on hands-up participation, meaning only a small number
of students contribute while others remain disengaged.
Mini-whiteboards provide a simple yet powerful solution
by promoting whole-class participation and ensuring that
every student responds to every question. This session will
consider how mini-whiteboards address common classroom
challenges, such as passive learners who avoid contributing,
and an over-reliance on hands-up questioning. This workshop
will guide participants in reflecting on their own maths lessons
and consider practical ways to embed mini-whiteboards into
their teaching. The goal is to design classrooms that get
100% of your students thinking.
Key takeaways:
1. Reasons to use mini-whiteboards
2. Common pitfalls and solutions
3. How to implement mini-whiteboards into your classroom
routines
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A05 FLUENCY WITH IMPACT: PRACTICAL
ACTIVITIES FOR EVERY CLASSROOM
Sub-category: Mathematical content and concepts
Renee Ladner, Mathematical Association of Victoria,
Jessica Kurzman
F - Y6
Wondering how you can make the most of fluency time in
the mathematics classroom? This workshop explores how
short, purposeful games and activities can build mathematical
fluency while keeping students engaged and motivated.
Participants will experience a range of practical activities
designed for explicit fluency practice sessions in Foundation
to Year 6 classrooms. These games help students develop
flexibility, efficiency and accuracy with number facts while
promoting strategic thinking and mathematical discussion.
The session will explore the features of effective fluency
activities, how to provide meaningful practice rather than rote
repetition, and ways to adapt activities for diverse learners.
Participants will leave with a collection of ready-to-use games
and strategies that can be embedded into daily mathematics
lessons. Through fun, hands-on experiences, this workshop
brings the conference theme of Activating Mathematical
Hearts, Hands and Minds to life, helping students enjoy
mathematics while developing lasting fluency.
Key takeaways:
1. Experience engaging activities designed to build fluency
beyond worksheets and slide decks.
2. Learn how to use observation records to identify and
respond to students’ developing fluency.
3. Develop confidence in strengthening the connection
between fluency learning at school and at home.
A06 FROM CURIOUS TO CONFIDENT: GENAI
FOR MATHEMATICS TEACHING
Sub-category: Digital technologies
Carmel Mesiti and Scott Cameron, University of
Melbourne
F - Y10
Generative AI is rapidly changing the way teachers plan,
prepare, and refine their practice, but knowing where to start
can be challenging. This hands-on workshop is designed for
primary and secondary mathematics teachers who are new to
GenAI and want practical strategies they can use immediately.
