Getting Ready in Numeracy (GRIN®) - Mathematics Intervention
The GRIN Intervention Program is a professional learning program for primary and secondary mathematics teachers and tutors. It aims to address difficulties that students experience when learning mathematics.
There are commentators who suggest that some students cannot learn mathematics whatever we do. The GRIN Intervention Program has demonstrated that this is a false assumption and that students can learn if given appropriate opportunity. This program is currently being delivered in primary and secondary schools across Victoria, with positive feedback from numeracy leaders, school principals and students, relating to:
- improved numeracy learning
- increased confidence
- transformation
- impact on class teaching
- impact on the students.
How does GRIN work?
Prior to the normal daily mathematics lesson, trained tutors conduct GRIN sessions with small groups of students (ideally three). The GRIN sessions are brief and focused - normally 15 to 25 minutes long.
GRIN sessions conducted by trained tutors are designed to:
- prepare intervention students for their subsequent mathematics lesson
- familiarise students with the relevant language and terminology that they will hear during the classroom lesson
- model what students can expect to see and/or do in the lesson.
How is GRIN implemented in schools?
GRIN is implemented in schools in the following stages:
1. Application
Your school selects up to four staff members to participate in GRIN including at least one teacher of mathematics and staff who can take on the role of the GRIN tutor.
The GRIN tutor can be a
- teacher
- numeracy coach
- leading teacher
- education support staff member
GRIN relies heavily on the development of strong and timely communications between the GRIN tutor and the classroom teacher. The better the link between the GRIN intervention session and the subsequent classroom lesson, the more impact the program will have on student outcomes. Careful consideration should be taken to select staff who will implement GRIN within the school.
Suggested selection criteria for tutors (pdf)
2. Professional learning commences
All GRIN teachers and tutors attend one face-to-face day of professional learning. GRIN manuals and templates are provided to assist with the delivery and data analysis of the program.
3. Implementation of GRIN
Students are selected for participation in GRIN and GRIN tutor sessions are timetabled and commence.
In most cases, students attend multiple GRIN sessions in any one week (ideally 2-3 times a week). The timing and number of GRIN sessions that a student attends varies depending on individual student needs and /or timetabling constraints. For example, GRIN sessions might be conducted before or after school or in recess and lunch breaks. In another situation, students might be withdrawn from other (non-mathematics) lessons to participate in GRIN sessions. This is a school-based decision.
4. Professional learning continues
GRIN teachers and tutors attend a further two half-day face-to-face professional learning support sessions.
5. GRIN licensed school
Once the professional learning is completed, your school becomes a licensed GRIN school and certificates are issued to accredited GRIN staff.
What is the commitment to the program?
It is important that school principals support and promote the implementation of GRIN and allocate appropriate time release for teachers and tutors to attend professional learning and to plan for and to deliver the GRIN tutorial sessions.
GRIN is a licensed program. Staff members who deliver GRIN in schools must have completed the professional learning. Once accredited, the school will be given a license to operate GRIN.
Cost
Please see below the cost for the 2024 program:
- New school: $4000 (incl GST) per school – up to 4 participants including at least one teacher. Additional staff members: $800 (incl GST) per person
- Existing school: $800 (incl GST) per person
Registration
Registrations are closed for 2024. Please email us at edu.pdp@monash.edu to join 2025 EOI list.
Recognition
Upon completion of all aspects of the program, the participants and school will receive a certificate and GRIN accreditation from the Faculty of Education, Monash University.
Testimonials
“I'll give you one word to describe GRIN: 'empowering'! With these kids, it's all about confidence and self-belief. GRIN gives them that!”
Luke Kerr, Mornington Secondary College
“GRIN has been most successful at our school both to help the students academically but also emotionally and socially cope with the demands of the maths classroom”.
Megan Skinner, Coatesville Primary School
“There has been a massive change in the students, mainly in their self-esteem - they are more likely to engage in class, they want to put their hand up and contribute. Before they would have withdrawn and avoided eye contact, not wanting to participate in classroom discussions”.
Danielle James, The Grange School
“This program required a close connection between the classroom teachers and the teachers involved in running the program. The positive impact of this alone was amazing. The conversations around the children's thinking and the deepening of teachers' understanding around maths has had a long-term effect on all the children in the grade”.
Joanne O'Malley, Assistant Principal, St Kilda Primary School