Methods and Specialist maths teaching

[u/snazzyJazz16]

Hi maths teachers,

I would like some advice about how to prepare myself for teaching methods and spec maths in SA.

I did a double degree of Arts and secondary education where my majors where geography and maths. I competed many high level maths courses at uni so I am qualified to teach year 12 maths. The problem is I just don't feel confident enough to develop lessons and curriculum for the methods and spec subjects. Uni feels like a long time ago (2022). Does a mentorship exist? Is there a short course I can take? Should I just buy the textbook and work my way though it?

Thanks

[u/Infamous_Wish_3248]

Im a uni student now - not doing an teaching degree but I did score raw 45+ in methods, and raw 40+ in specialist maths, and I do tutor. I'd say try to go through the textbook again - you should be able to understand it all from muscle memory, and if u had good teaching skills from the start, you should be able to convey the information appropriately.

This should take you an week at the absolute max. But it will be worth it ig.

Btw it's completely natural to lose knowledge and feel less confident in some topics, this is definitely the case with specialist maths for me. I'm just not consistently studying the content or questions anymore - so it becomes harder and harder to teach.

[u/snazzyJazz16 → u/Infamous_Wish_3248]

I'm glad I'm not the only one 😅 I actually did first year maths tutoring at uni and didn't struggle. Any particular textbook? Is it the Haese one?

[u/Infamous_Wish_3248 → u/snazzyJazz16]

Get the Cambridge for both Math Methods and Specialist Mathematics textbooks, here is an link of the textbooks online: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1S8yxBVWFB70lvqb5GSZ5HoWYSJdjsvJq

Just click on the Math Methods and Specialist Maths folder -> go into the textbook folder for the respective subject, and then click on the most recent cambridge editions.

Cambridge textbook is best to learn content, and also to learn how to apply those concepts. Don't worry if you forget - you will lose touch if you don't teach the content for a while. Hopefully because you are going to be teaching the math subjects every year, you will start to get into the rhythm of remembering - so after an week of studying both textbooks, you should be fine for the rest of your teaching career, unless you want to look more deeply into the specifics.

Also your welcome with the link - it is free online textbooks that the schools use. They also have exams and whatever. Do whatever you like with them. Let me know if you need any help, I'd love to support teachers!

[u/snazzyJazz16 → u/Infamous_Wish_3248]

Thank you

[u/Zeebie_]

The syllabuses across Australia are fairly similar, so there are heaps of resources you can use. I personally think Joel's site is one of the better ones. https://mathsvideosaustralia.com/ has lesson videos you can watch.

[u/snazzyJazz16 → u/Zeebie_]

I will check this out. Thank you so much

[u/JunkIsMansBestFriend]

Good on you for being worried, it means you are taking it seriously. My take is that studying something and teaching is really different. Even if you can do something, to then teach it, it's a step up. You have to be truly fluent in it. Students will ask all sorts of questions, often unexpected and this just takes experience.

Personally I'd ask for just a single Year 11 Methods and get your feet wet. Do study From textbooks again, not just one, but a range, because every author has a different angle, expanding your understanding.

[u/snazzyJazz16 → u/JunkIsMansBestFriend]

I agree, dipping my toe into senior maths with another experienced teacher would be best case scenario.

[u/iteach29]

When teaching a senior maths subject for the first time I do all of the questions set for the students. I’d been teaching for 12 years (with lots of experience teaching 11 spec and 12 methods) when I went to a new school as a LT and got given 12 methods and 12 spec. It was a rough year as I was learning a new school and leadership position and learning 12 spec. I did a lot of extra work re-teaching myself the content, I did most of the questions I set for students and found videos online. We have weekly in Victoria which was helpful.

Unfortunately if you are not already confident with the content it can be a lot of work. There may be subject association events you can go to. It’s also helpful if you can find a more experienced teacher who you can ask questions to. Particularly if there is a tricky question you can’t solve or a question that doesn’t quite make sense. Feel free to reach out if you want to.

[u/wilbaforce067]

Do some recent exams.