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Introduction
Mathematics is older than recorded history. Through the ages, it has developed into a sophisticated, complex body of knowledge. Mathematics pervades all aspects of our lives – as citizens, in our homes and in the workplace. It has applications in all human activities, crossing cultural and linguistic boundaries to provide a universal way of solving problems in such diverse areas as science and engineering, business and finance, technology, arts and crafts, the sporting arena and many everyday activities.
What is the purpose of Mathematics at Williamstown
The purpose of the courses at Williamstown High School is to develop the students’ mathematical skills so as to provide access to a mathematical qualification that will lead them to post-secondary courses or employment. Students will develop and expand their knowledge and application through a process of regular practice, home work activities, problem solving, investigations and the use of appropriate technologies, such as calculators and computer applications.
In the middle years from year 7 to 10, students learn and develop their skills through the six strands. These strands in mathematics are identified as: space, number, measurement, chance and data, algebra and mathematical tools and procedures.
In the senior years of VCE (year 11 and 12) students are provided with a number of options that will suit their level of ability as well as for their requirements in post-secondary education or vocational training. All students should consider inclusion of at least one Mathematics subject in VCE if they are capable and or have an interest in mathematics.
Overview of Mathematics at Williamstown High School
Williamstown High School caters for a range of mathematical abilities. The majority would follow a mainstream course. Year 7 to 10 students who are identified as having skills in numeracy below that are below their age group and are offered a position in a Numeracy group. This gives the student an opportunity to work in a smaller class and build up their skills. A Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program operates from Year 7. Students are selected for this program on the basis of tests, interview and parent and teacher reports. In Mathematics they follow the program from a level higher, including a select number of activities to extend and develop a higher understanding of mathematics.
In Year 7 Mathematics, the majority of students will study; | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | | Number skills; Data and Statistics; Length Scale and Perimeter; Shapes and Solids; and Decimals. | Fractions; Generalising patterns and Rules; Algebra; Area and Volume; and Angles. |
Year 7 Numeracy | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | | Number skills; Data and Statistics; Length Scale and Perimeter; Shapes and Solids; and Decimals. | Fractions; Area and Volume; Time; and Angles. |
Yr 7 ALP | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | | Integers, Chance; Patterns; Algebra and Graphs; Angles shapes and Constructions; Maths Challenge | Percentages and Decimals; Measurement; Shapes; Equations; Indices; and the Maths Competition. |
In Year 8 Mathematics, the majority of students will study; | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | | Integers; Chance; Patterns; Algebra and Graphs; Angles, Shapes and Constructions | Percentages and Decimals; Measurement; Equations; Shapes; and Indices |
Year 8 Numeracy | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | | Integers; Chance; Patterns; Generalising patterns and Rules (from yr 7 text); Angles shapes and Constructions | Percentages and Decimals; Algebra (from yr 7 text); Measurement; Equations; Shapes; and Indices |
Year 8 ALP | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | | Exponentials; Data and Statistics; Linear Eq’s; Pythagoras; and the Maths Challenge | Applying Number (Percentages); Interpreting Shapes; Algebra Skills; Trigonometry; Measurement; and the Maths Competition. |
Students in the Year 8 ALP will sit 2 exams; one in July and another in November. In Year 9 Mathematics, all students will sit 2 exams; one in July and another in November. The majority of students will study; | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | | Exponentials, Data and Statistics; Linear Eq’s; Pythagoras. | Applying Number (Percentages); Algebra Skills; Trigonometry; Interpreting Shapes; Measurement. |
Year 9 ALP | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | | Ratio, Proportion and Rates; Probability; Linear Eq’s; Geometry; and the Maths Challenge. | Exponents and Surds, Parabolas and Quadratics; Trigonometry and Period Functions; and the Maths Competition. |
Year 10 Mathematics There are three streams of Mathematics; Maths A, Maths B and Numeracy. All students will sit 2 exams; one in July and another in November. Maths B has a higher algebra content. Year 10 ALP students will complete the VCE unit 1 and 2 General Maths (Methods) course VCE Mathematics Structure The study is made up of the following units: | Year 11 Units 1 and 2 | Year 12 Units 3 and 4 | | General Maths (Standard)General Maths (Advanced)Mathematical Methods | Further Mathematics Mathematical Methods Specialist Mathematics |
Pathways for VCE Mathematics from Units (1&2) to Units (3&4)
General mathematics has two streams, General Mathematics (Advanced) 1 + 2 and General Mathematic (Standard) 1 + 2; to cater for the student’s different VCE needs.
Although the subject matter will cover the same area of study the General Mathematics (Advanced) stream (with additional topics) will encourage students to work in conjunction with Mathematical Methods 1 + 2 course and at a higher level of mathematics skill than the standard General Maths (Further) course.
It is envisaged that possible pathways for student's going from UNITS 1/2 to UNITS 3/4 are as follows: | Number of Mathematics units to be studied | Year 11 | Year 12 | | 4 | General Mathematics Standard | Further Mathematics | | 6 | Mathematical Methods*
General Mathematics Methods | Mathematical Methods or Further Mathematics | | 8 | Mathematical Methods
General Mathematics Methods | Mathematical Methods
Specialist Mathematics |
* Please note students intending to study MM 3/4 must complete both GMA 1 & 2 and MM 1 & 2.
There are three (3) outcomes that must be satisfied to achieve satisfactory completion of unit 1 or unit 2. These outcomes are consistent for all Mathematic courses in Year 11. (See the Outcome section for a description of what is expected of students). Units 1 and 2 - General Maths
General Maths provides courses of study for diverse groups of students and may be implemented in a number of ways; our school offers two streams –
A. General Maths (Standard) (Units 1 and 2) and,
B. General Maths (Advanced) (Units 1 and 2).
This has been devised for students who would like to do (or needs) a mathematics unit in Year 11 in the view of either doing Further Maths (Units 3 and 4), or optioning to drop Maths after Units 1 and 2 has been completed.
Topics of study for General Mathematics Advanced will be; This has been devised for students who would like (or needs) to study mathematics to a higher degree in Year 12 (Units 3 and 4). It is to be taken with Mathematical Methods (Units 1 and 2) so that students receive the required knowledge and skills to complete Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 and 4) and Maths Methods (Units 3 and 4). A student may choose to drop mathematics after units 1 and 2 or do Further Maths (Units 3 and 4) in Year 12. This option gives you the most freedom of choice.
Topics of study for General Mathematics (Standard) will be; | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | | Business Maths Linear EquationsUnivariate DataRatio/ScalesUnit Exam | Functions and GraphsTrigonometrySequence and SeriesBivariate DataTrigonometryGeometryUnit Exam |
For General Maths (either course) there are three (3) outcomes that must be satisfied to achieve satisfactory completion of unit 1 or unit 2. These outcomes are consistent for all Mathematic courses in Year 11. (See the Outcome section for a description of what is expected of students).
Units 1 and 2; Mathematical Methods
This unit of study has been devised to prepare students to complete Maths Methods (Units 3 and 4), as well as Specialist Maths (Units 3 and 4). It is highly advisable that all students completing Mathematical Methods (Units 1 and 2) also do General Maths Advanced (Units 1 and 2) as the courses have been designed with providing the concepts and skills that will be needed for year 12 Specialist Maths and Maths Methods.
There will be a lot of algebra and graphing involved in these units, as well as calculus (a topic that is first encountered in unit 2).
Topics of study will be;
| Unit 1 | Unit 2 | | PolynomialsFunction and graphsQuadratic Functions and GraphsCubic Functions and GraphsUnit Exam | ProbabilityCalculusApplication of CalculusCircular function and GraphsExponential and Logarithmic FunctionsUnit Exam |
For Maths Methods there are three (3) outcomes that must be satisfied to achieve satisfactory completion of unit 1 or unit 2. These outcomes are consistent for all Mathematic courses in Year 11. (See the Outcome section for a description of what is expected of students). Outcomes Outcome 1; Students should be able to define and explain key concepts, and apply a range of mathematical routines and procedures.
The assessment tasks will be graded (A+ to E - these grades represents a satisfactory completion, N - you must resubmit or make-up with another task to achieve a Satisfactory, or NA) and will be made up from: As decided by the classroom teacher/ faculty. Outcome 2: Students should be able to apply mathematical processes to non-routine context and analysis and discuss these applications of mathematics.
The assessment tasks will be graded (A+ to E - these grades represents a satisfactory completion, N - you must resubmit or make-up with another task to achieve a Satisfactory, or NA) and will be made up from: As decided by the classroom teacher/ faculty.
Outcome 3: Students should be able to use technology to produce results and carry out analysis in situations requiring problem-solving, modelling or investigative techniques or approaches.
The assessment tasks will be graded (A+ to E - these grades represents a satisfactory completion, N - you must resubmit or make-up with another task to achieve a Satisfactory, or NA) and will be made up from:
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