At St Anthony’s
We are continuing our Vision for Instruction series by exploring explicit instruction and our approach to teaching mathematics.
We maintain high expectations for all students in our school, aiming to build a strong foundation in literacy, numeracy, and social skills. By using explicit instruction methods, we aim to provide the most effective support to help children develop the knowledge and skills they need to thrive and become lifelong learners.
What is explicit instruction?
Explicit instruction involves teachers introducing complex skills in small steps, with clear explanations and demonstrations of what students are expected to learn. Students then practise what they learned and receive feedback from their teacher until the skill is mastered.
How do St. Anthony’s Primary School teaches mathematics?
Our vision for mathematics instruction involves:
- developing number sense – understanding quantities and numbers, and how to represent them with objects and numerals
- building fluency – mastering basic arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
- teaching mathematics concepts – understanding the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of mathematics in combination with procedures and rules
- using concrete materials – using physical resources and visual representations to show concepts and procedures
- using problem-solving strategies – organising work based on the structure of a problem
- using explicit instruction – providing opportunities for students to explain their work and thinking in oral and written forms
- using precise mathematics language – using correct terminology when discussing steps for solving problems.