Warwick in Africa: Maths

Grab a post-it note Write a number on it (don’t let anyone see) Stick it to the forehead of someone in your

group

Your task:◦ Ask the people in your group questions to figure out

your number◦ Your question has to have a yes/no answer◦ You can’t ask the same person two questions in a row◦ When you have worked out your number sit down

(people can still ask you questions)

Ice Breaker

Grades 8-12 (Equivalent of Years 9-13)

Pupils must pass end of year exams (allowed to fail one, <30%) to pass the year and go up into the next grade

Pupils aren’t allowed to be setted according to ability

In grades 10,11 & 12 there are two types of Maths◦ Mathematics◦ Mathematical Literacy

Matriculation Exam at the end of Grade 12 (Level 1(fail) – Level 7)

Meant to be taught in English, however Limpopo they don’t always

South Africa

The syllabus includes:◦ Statistics and probability (probability is relatively

new to the curriculum)◦ Geometry (including compound angle trigonometry)◦ Algebra (graphing functions, differentiation)◦ Financial Maths (exchange rates, simple/compound

interest, hire purchase agreements)

I have put a link to a South African Textbook on the forums of the WiA participants Website

South Africa - Mathematics

The syllabus includes:◦ Statistics and probability (probability is relatively

new to the curriculum)◦ Geometry (area, volume, angles, Pythagoras)◦ Algebra (solving equations, simple graphs)◦ Financial Maths (exchange rates, simple/compound

interest, hire purchase agreements)

This is normally for the classes that aren’t doing science and is generally a weaker group

South Africa – Mathematical Literacy

The main topics that are asked to be taught are:◦ Probability◦ Financial Maths◦ Trigonometry◦ Algebra

South Africa – Topics

Junior Secondary Forms 1 – 4 (Roughly equivalent of Years 8-11)

A national standardized exam is given at the end of Form 2, although there is no consequence for failing it.

Certificate of Secondary Education Examination is given at the end of Form 4 (Division IV (worst) to Division I)

All secondary schooling is taught in English, however teachers maybe a bit rusty so can teach in swahili.

Tanzania

Can be asked to teach other subjects (if you’re confident)

Maths◦ Forming and solving equations◦ Rearranging formulae◦ Inequalities

Physics◦ Mass, Volume and Density◦ Friction◦ Vectors

Tanzania - Topics

Junior High School 1-3 (Roughly Years 8- 10)

Basic Education Certificate Examination is sat at the end of JHS 3

All secondary schooling is taught in English

In Northern Hemisphere so follows the same term times as the UK

Ghana

As it is the summer holidays in Ghana we run summer schools.

You can set up the day how you want to.

1 ½ hours Maths and 1 ½ hours English then 1 hour of extra curricular (sport, drama, dance, singing, engineering)

You may get pupils from primary turning up with brothers and sisters

Ghana – Summer Schools

Last year we asked pupils what they would like to cover

Topics we covered included:◦ Fractions, Decimals and Percentages◦ Speed and Density◦ Algebra: solving equations, using formulae and

rearranging equations◦ Ratio◦ BODMAS

Ghana – Topics

Try to engage all pupils straight away with an interactive starter E.g. bingo, ice breaker type activities, splat, countdown

When covering the main ideas of the lessons get pupils interacting, answer question, writing on the board

Round up the lesson with an activity which shows how much they have learnt. E.g. WINK, write a question for your partner, Quiz Quiz Trade

Lesson Plans

Don’t try for outstanding lessons every time – questions on the board can be really useful for parts of your lessons.

Use thumbs up/thumbs down, fingers of 5, to gauge how well pupils are following

Get pupils to peer mark their questions…you don’t need to give yourself loads of extra work!

Use mini-whiteboards; you can see everyone’s answer at the same time then get pupils to explain their answers!

Hints and Tips

Get into pairs within your group.

Your task is to plan a lesson on any topic which you may have to teach.

Think about:◦ How will you engage them?◦ How will they show they have learnt something?◦ Returners/PGCEs: How are you going to cater for

the different abilities in your class?

Your turn!

A few ideas to get you started….

Homework (you’re not too old!!!): ◦ Spread the topics around your group◦ Everyone needs to plan at least 1 lesson that you

could hit the ground with when you get to Africa◦ We will share them at the next training session so

everyone has a bank of lessons to pick from.

Feedback and Homework

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