Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU) – Middle Years (Years 3 to 6) Intervention Specialist Teacher course - PDD1037

EMU offers intensive learning opportunities for students who are currently struggling, including a small group intervention led by a Specialist Teacher. The EMU Specialist Teacher courses provide professional learning for teachers to develop their expertise and leadership in mathematics. Underpinning the program is an accreditation process that ensures that EMU specialist teachers maintain ongoing learning in this essential curriculum area, have the expertise to deliver professional learning to colleagues, and work within a whole school approach to improving learning and teaching for all.

This course educates EMU specialist teachers to work with students in the middle years of schooling. It involves field-based learning and a six-day spaced learning program. The field-based learning involves teachers planning and implementing an EMU Intervention Program (5 x 45-minute sessions per week) throughout the year. The course includes workshops, data analysis and reviewing video excerpts simulating ‘behind-the-screen sessions’.

Who should attend

This program is designed for highly effective mathematics teachers who demonstrate strong potential for professional leadership.

You should have a minimum qualification of BEd degree or equivalent and be familiar with, and have a working knowledge of, the Mathematics Assessment Interview (also known as the Mathematics Online Interview and the Early Years Numeracy Interview).

You must have the support of your principal to deliver the program in your school and agreement for 5 x 45 minutes each week to complete the field based learning component (30 minutes face to face plus 15 minutes preparation and evaluation).

What you will learn

  • The role of specialised mathematics programs in the middle years of schooling
  • Components of the EMU Middle Years Program structure and implementation
  • Using growth points to identify students in the middle years who are vulnerable in learning mathematics
  • Prioritising students for participation in a specialised mathematics program
  • Whole number learning in the middle years: multi digit numbers and algorithms, and reasoning strategies
  • Rational number learning and misconceptions (including fractions and decimals)
  • The EMU Assessment Interview and activities and strategies to enhance rational number learning
  • Understanding difficult growth point transitions for students in the middle years in whole number
  • Strategies to enhance the development of reasoning strategies including empty number lines
  • Using open tasks, effective questioning and investigations to enhance mathematical learning
  • Measurement and geometry as contexts for learning and using number
  • Strategies for the ongoing monitoring and assessment of students who are vulnerable
  • Mathematics leadership, professional learning and working with the school team
  • Analysing students’ learning: Behind the Screen.

This course references the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Program structure

6 days at Clayton Campus over several months

Developed by Associate Professor Ann Gervasoni, facilitated by Michele Klooger.

Prerequisites

A minimum qualification of BEd degree or equivalent, with at least two years teaching experience, and you must be a highly effective mathematics teacher with potential for professional leadership.

You should be familiar with, and have a working knowledge of, the Mathematics Assessment Interview (also known as the Mathematics Online Interview and the Early Years Numeracy Interview).

You must have completed the Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU) Early Years (Prep to Year 2) Specialist Teacher course.

For successful course completion, you must participate in all six professional learning days and conduct the EMU Program daily throughout the year for a minimum of 10 weeks (25 hours), but ideally for 20 weeks or more. You must also complete two EMU ongoing professional learning days annually to maintain EMU Specialist accreditation.

Upon completion of all aspects of the program, you will receive a certificate and Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU) Middle Years accreditation from the Faculty of Education, Monash University.