Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy Learning Kit

This learning tool kit (LTK) targets young learners between 0-2 years. It supports curricular competencies from the NSW Mathematics Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum. Designed with self-regulated learning, it is effective in strategic development of numeracy for progressive classroom development.

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Learning Kit
From Foundation Level to 2 Years
Part A: Learning Resources
This learning tool kit (LTK) targets young learners between 0-2 years. It supports

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
curricular competencies from the NSW Mathematics Syllabus for the Australian
Curriculum. Designed with self-regulated learning, it is effective in strategic
development of numeracy for progressive classroom development. Its effectiveness is
ideal for use when facilitating the learning of K-2 Mathematics (Authority, 2013). Its
expected learning outcomes meet the NSW Mathematics Syllabus leading to the
development of arithmetic, motor, reasoning, intellectual and concentration skills.
The NSW syllabus for kindergarten level contains a sequence of concepts for
development across different years. Numbers, Geometry Statistics and Shapes are
some of the subject elements at this age. However, instructional material featuring
books and ICT tools are effective. Learners depend on an integrated approach to
learning for individual and group learning activities. This learning kit highlights
essential skills for this foundational stage. It also has consideration for children with
special abilities.
Toys for playful learning
Toys are important for nonverbal reasoning, intellectual skills and numeracy (Nuovo,
Cerniglia, Amata, & Pirrone, 2015). Early childhood development covers the
intellectual, emotional, social and physical development. Math is critical in this
growth and children need to develop a positive attitude towards it. Below are ideas to
use for teaching mathematics skills.
Toy Social and Emotional
Indicator
Precaution
Rainbow Counting Bears Supports children to explore -Choose safe bears for

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
curiosity and overcome fears.
This is a transitional object
for caregivers and social
development activities
toddlers and avoid toxic
material (Dowshen,
2014)
-Check for any loose
screws in stuffed bears
-Clean and was
appropriately to prevent
allergic reactions
Marbles -Provide objects for social
interaction, rule games and
intellectual development. -
Boosts motor skills
-Place in a jar to
prevent swallowing
-Use under strict
supervision
Lego Building Blocks -Intellectual development
through visual ability
-Cognitive and problem
solving skills for
mathematical abilities
-Choose high quality
toys
Abacus -Development of analytical
skills
-Faster calculations
-Sharp concentration
-Good for reasoning and
-Avoid
overconcentration

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
spatial ability
Math link Cubes -Adds fun and meaning to
mathematics
-Sharpens memory
Explore learning
according to age levels
Math Dice -Great for visualization,
counting, and portable
-Avoid easily crumpled
or wrinkled material
Counting Caterpillar -Colorful and great fun
-Imaginative play
-develops motor skills like
rearranging segments
-light painted toys lose
color and may chip
Toys for Gifted Toddlers
Development toys shape kids skills while providing fun activities (Kewley, 2017).
Toddlers who special abilities will benefit from the following toys:
1. Lego and robot repair coding board game for play time intelligence, creativity
and IQ

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
It builds the concept of coding with robot repair challenges. It has simple projects that
kids love to explore thus developing a foundation for complex arithmetic tasks in the
future.
2. Hape Crane Lift
It supports numerical intelligence through logical reasoning and machine
intelligence.
3. Melissa & Doug Lacing Beads

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Young ones aged 18-24 months can use this tool to make imaginable objects and
numbers. This is critical in the development of motor skills and recognition (Kewley,
2017).
Arithmetic toys designed for intellectual development shape the learners abilities
while improving skills. Some toys help young learners to gain confidence in
numerical subjects. As a complimentary, care givers need to have a variety of toys
designed to stimulate special skills that young ones have.
Montessori Charts and cards
Value cards and chart numbers represent printed material. The Montessori print is
ideal for home and school use. It comprises of ideas that build math’s boost memory
and promotes child activities.

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Game equipment
Board games allow the learners to explore their creativity through basic arithmetic. A
fun project uses numbers and spaces, repeat action and safe play. Ideal for
homeschool math activities and is easily printable.
Spinners

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
This is an ideal took for math games, experiments and concepts. Building a spinner
allows the early learner to incorporate, dots, and numbers. Works well with dice and
board games.
Dice
It supports the development of competence in numeracy through counting and dice
pattern formation (Publication, 2018). As a numeracy teaching tool, the dice enhances
the childs confidence and self esteem.
Ten Frame trays
Ideal for responsive and stimulating caregiver support. Equipped for responsive and
stimulating caregiver support this teaching aid is an essential tool

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Similar to chips, it is useful for counting, making additions and subtraction,
Creative Geoboards
Provide critical tools for the development of motor skills and colorful shapes for
learning activities.
Geoboards are fun, have great visuals, geometric shapes and angles for refining motor

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
skills.
Pattern blocks
Provide shapes that children use for sorting skills. They are available in different
varieties including free online pintables. They also and provide picture challenges.
Colored dominoes
These include colorful pieces for counting, number games, different sizes and
numerous arithmetic operations. Also, appropriate for colored games, stacking and
toppling activities. Teachers or caregivers allow students to enjoy playing the games
with elaborative creations.

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Crayons
Provide educational ideas and serve as teaching aids. Young learners use crayons for
writing numbers, coloring and expressing themselves with the hand.
Miscellaneous items
Kindergarten items easily available include egg cartons, magazine pictures,
photographs and pegs. These are useful for sorting and developing motor skills. Items
available at home will also work effectively.

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Note that reliable learning resources often have an outcome on the development of
arithmetic skills. They should have quality content suitably designed for children in
their foundational or kindergarten years.
Part B: Instructional materials for teachers
Curriculum Development and Teaching Strategies for Gifted Learners
(Maker & Schiever, 2009)
This is a curriculum development book designed for gifted learners. It helps teachers
and parents or caregivers to identify talented children from kindergarten age to 12th
grade. Suitable for the Australian curriculum, this is an international learning kit with
teaching models, strategies and models applicable for culturally diverse learners.

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Items in the learning kit
The book has strategies that provide caregivers with ideas on how to set up the
learning environment, improve participation and teaching in the elementary level.
 Teaching models ( Principles of the curriculum, analyzing the learning
environment )
-Content
-Process
-Product
 Curriculum Development ( Creating scope and sequence of the program)
 International Perspective on education of gifted students in Australia, South
Korea, Taipei, England and Turkey
One of two K-2 outcomes
From the Australian NSW Mathematics Syllabus, this syllabus expects the
development of a successful numeracy approach to learning and critical
thinking

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
How the learning resource facilitates the development of numeracy
skills
Curriculum Development and Teaching Strategies for Gifted Learners (Maker &
Schiever, 2009) has mathematical lessons covering general capabilities in:
Recognizing and calculating using whole numbers
Recognizing patterns
Spatial reasoning
Interpretation of statistical data
Recognition of mathematical knowledge in form of numbers, comparisons and
general capabilities
Instructions for using the resources
With a single child or a small, group of 2-6 children in foundation or kindergarten to
year 2 mathematics classes
Instructions for use of learning Kit
Single learner teaching plan Group learning ( 2-6 students)
Work samples with word problems for
arithmetic problems ( pictures, real world
mathematics, and word problems
Mixed approach including group games
for arithmetic problems
Use of same class approach of question
and answer for individual learner
( concepts and number miss concepts)
Manipulation of word and visual tasks
through a variety of kindergarten
activities
Capable of using dramatic play for Sort objects through playing with others,
make symbolic play

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Random assignment on simple tasks with
toys
Themed group role plays for different
topics
Evaluation through teacher observation,
questions and personal tests
Evaluation through oral response and
teacher questions, student demonstration,
participation
Student assigned guided counting tasks to
identify gaps in numeracy skills
( presentation and pictures)
Students encouraged to undertake
challenging tasks to identify special
capabilities
Using learners in groups helps to differentiate their abilities and identify the best from
the mentally challenged. The table below gives a suggestion.
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
Weaker students
*Focus on their
progress twice a week
Students struggling with
specific need
*Focus on this need once a
week
Students in need of
enrichment
*Focus on them once a
week
Below is a format for a guided plan for individual lessons. It covers areas of weakness
across different levels. For example, shapes, numbers, exercises, number games and
others.
Guided Math Lesson Plans
Group Name---------------------- Date----------------------------
Subject Area Level Strategy Activity

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
A list of key terms
This learning kit is keen on professional mathematical lingo for early learners such as:
Add ( addition ): sum/summation of two or more numbers (Corner, 2015)
Chart: Representation of numbers (School Run, 2018)
Color: Visual element: e.g. red, yellow, blue, orange, green, etc. (Stevenson,
2010)
Height: Elevation ( distance high up or low below)
Length: Dimension or time spent (D, K Publishing, 2008)
Matching: Corresponding in terms of shape, colour and design
Measuring: Determining the size, shape and degree or amount of something
Numbers: Mathematical symbol of a count, measure or representation (Little
Explorers Picture Dictionary, 2016)
Patterns: Sequence of numbers, shapes or objects
Shape: An image defined by specific features e.g., star, square, box, circle
etc. (Britannica Kids, 2018)

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Size: Measurement by mass, magnitude or quantity ( e.g. large or small )
Subtract: Take away, deduct, remove, withdraw
Word Problem: Real life scenario (The School Run, 2018)
PART C
1. Australian Curriculum Work Sheet ( Foundation Years )
This is an ICT tool offering support to carers on the general capability elements for a
learner. Australian Curriculum Worksheer Generator provides different documents for
proficiency in subject content (Essential Assessment, 2017). Available content
features:
Numbers and Algebra (number and place value)
Measurement and geometry (Using units of measurement)
Statistics and probability (Data representation and interpretation)
Numbers and Algebra
In this list are:
 Naming numbers 0-20
 Sequence

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
 Counting
 Names
 Quantities
 Numerals
 Small collections
 Sharing
 Reasoning with numbers
 Patterns
Measurement and Geometry
This content segment has:
 Direct and indirect comparisons
 Everyday language with math
 Familiar events and actions
 Shapes and 3D objects in our environment
 Position and movement
Statistics and probability
 Numerical data
 Experiments
 Modelling
 Data representation
Main mathematical ideas in Australian Curriculum Work Sheet (Foundation
Years)
The items in the kit contain course subjects between 0-2 years. Available online, the

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
caregiver or teacher scrolls through the subject content for description of basic topics
for this level. For example, Algebra at this level covers measurements of sequence
while Geometry looks at shapes of objects. This is the NSW Syllabus with online
assessments and numeracy data. It provides samples for age level and topic level
generators such as:
 Money matters
 Number problems
 Story problems
 Games
 Early education e. t. c
Below is a downloadable sample of a worksheet for early childhood education. From
the example, it has a focus on color, patterning, numerals and time telling.
Instructions for a parent/care giver
The table below shows a formula to use when using the resource. This is effective for

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
single students and group learning. Have a plan that encourages learners to learn
about mathematical concepts (Mundkur, 2018). Reviewing the lessons every day
allows the teacher to understand the level of understanding and student’s rate of
absorption.
Single Learner Group Learner
Encourage the learner to draw numbers and
images
Encourage learners to draw things around and
share in class
Differentiate activities from different levels (e.
g statistics and probability )
Engage leaners in a matching game of numbers
Show the leaner accurate methods of using
creativity in learning math colors and shapes
Motivate the learner through classroom
interactions
Provide guidelines for complex subjects that
the learner finds difficult to comprehend e.g.
subtraction
Allow groups to point out the challenging
subjects in math
Provide tests to determine strengths and
weaknesses
Provide assessments
*Guided lessons may include cards, toys and learning tools that support the development of motor
skills.
Key Terms
When using a workbook, consider the following key terms:
Summary: This is a review of the lesson plan (MAZ26, 2016)
ACMNA: Australian Curriculum Mathematics, Number and Algebra ( Framework for
NSW) (NSW Education Standards Authority, 2017)

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Learning ouctomes: Expected results after a learning or assessment process
NSW: New South Wales Education Standards Authority ((NSW, 2017)
Matching numbers: Connceting numbers and objects into a relationship
Math Concept: Mathematical models (Geist, 2014)-for example, patterns,
measurements, algebra and geometry
Motor skills: Coordination and movements such as running, jumping and crawling
NSW: New South Wales education plan
Struggling students: learners with learning disabilities such as intellectual and
multisensory instructions (Osewalt, 2014). Teachers can use strategies such as
differentiated instruction for special learners
Work Book: Instructions and exercises relating to maths subjects
Work Sheets: A paper with questions and tasks for learners
*Curriculum priorities focus on the literacy, life skills and numeracy skills. Principles
of assessment used are individual learner based and integral teaching processes.
Core Learning Outcomes
Core learning outcomes for level 1-2 revolve around the core of learning outcomes and content.
The table below shows this
Elaborations Activities
Reasoning Equations, coloring, counting,
Mathematical knowledge Numbers, shapes, spatial relationships,
Logic and context learning Sequence, cards, technological displays,
By the end of the lesson, the student should students should learn to count
objects, and answer addition and subtractions ( Algebra)
Kindergarten students should also understand and describe basic shapes,

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
number comparisons and participate in number games
Problem solving skills gained through mathematical practices include model
application precision and structural reasoning.
Repeated reasoning sharpens the ability to identify single numbers, combined
sets and objects. Learners learn how to make measurements (Clarke, et al.,
2015)
Planning material, sample investigations and elaborations focus on the student
needs. Learners at the foundation levels should be versed in arithmetic
functions and mathematical shapes. This is also an introductory stage for
mathematical reasoning and data.

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
References
Authority, Q. S. (2013, April March). Prep Year Mathematics. Retrieved from
Australian Curriculum in Queensland:
https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/p_10/ac_maths_prep.pdf
Britannica Kids. (2018). Inspire, Inform, Educate. Retrieved from Encyclopeadia
Britanica: https://kids.britannica.com/
Clarke, B., Baker, S., Smolkowski, K., Doabler, C., Cary, S. M., & Fien, H. (2015).
Investigating the efficacy of a core kindergarten mathematics curriculum to
improve student mathematics learing outcomes. Journal of Research on
Educational Effectiveness, 303-324.
Corner, T. C. (2015, July 7). Primary Math Vocabulary Resources. Retrieved from
The Curriculum Corner:
https://www.thecurriculumcorner.com/thecurriculumcorner123/2015/07/
primary-math-vocabulary-resources-142-math-terms/
D, K Publishing. (2008). Merriam-Webster Children's Dictionary. DK Children.
Dowshen, S. (2014, March). Choosing Safe Toys. Retrieved from Kids Health:
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/safe-toys.html
Essential Assessment. (2017). Worksheet Generator. Retrieved from Essentaial

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Assessment: Assessment and Curriculum Made Easy:
https://www.essentialassessment.com.au/worksheets/
Geist, E. (2014, May 1). Mathematical Concepts in Kindergarten. Retrieved from
education.com: https://www.education.com/reference/article/mathematical-
concepts-kindergarten/
Kewley, C. (2017, October 9). 11 best developmental toys. Independent. Retrieved
October 29, 2018, from
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/kids/outside-toys-activities/
best-developmental-educational-toys-1-year-old-babies-2-18-month-3-4-5-6-
7-toys-a6741856.html
Little Explorers Picture Dictionary. (2016). Math Related Words. Retrieved from
Enchanted Learning: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Dictionary.html
Maker, J., & Schiever, W. S. (2009). Curriculum Development and Teaching
Strategies for Gifted Learners. ProEd.
MAZ26. (2016, August 1). Multiplication and Division with Teddies Lesson for Grade
1/2/3. Retrieved from Australian Curriculum Lessons:
https://www.australiancurriculumlessons.com.au/2016/08/01/multiplication-
division-teddies-lesson-grade-123/
Mundkur, R. (2018). Lesson plan: Matching Numbers. Retrieved from education.com:
https://www.education.com/lesson-plan/matching-numbers/
NSW Education Standards Authority. (2017). Our Story. Retrieved from NSW:
http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/who-we-are/our-
story

Curriculum Studies: Teaching Mathematics and EC Numeracy
Nuovo, S. D., Cerniglia, S., Amata, G. C., & Pirrone, C. (2015). Playing with building
block: A Way to improve numerical intelligence and non verbal reasoning. 5th
World Conference on Learning, Teaching and Educational Leadership
( WCLTA 2014). Catania, Italy: Department of Educational Sciences.
Osewalt, G. (2014). 5 Common techniques for helping struggling students. Retrieved
from Understood: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-
with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/5-common-techniques-for-helping-
struggling-students
Publication, R. (2018). Dice Activities for Mathematical Thinking. Retrieved from
RIC Publication: https://www.ricgroup.com.au/product/dice-activities-for-
mathematical-thinking/
Stevenson, A. (2010). Oxford Dictionary of English . Oxford University Press.
The School Run. (2018). Primary Numeracy. Retrieved from The School numeracy
glossary for parents: https://www.theschoolrun.com/primary-numeracy-
glossary-for-parents