A NumberSense Classroom

Throughout the early grades, it is envisaged that the teacher will work with small groups of children on the mat while the rest of the class is productively engaged in seatwork activities. These groups should be determined by the children’s stage of development; children who are at a similar stage of development should be in the same group. Each group should consist of between 6 and 8 children and should meet with the teacher on the mat at least 3 to 4 times a week. There are three key activities that need to be transacted on the mat during each session:

• Counting
• Manipulating number (breaking down and building up numbers)
• Solving problems

The workbooks are used to consolidate the focus group session, i.e. the activity reflects the experience of the session and the children work independently to complete the “page of the day”. After completing the page the teacher will facilitate reflection.

For further detail on the Foundation Phase classroom organisation, visit the Resources tab.

Throughout the later grades, it is envisaged that the teacher will work with small groups of children in a focus group at the front of the classroom. The rest of the class is productively engaged in seatwork activities. These groups should be determined by the children’s stage of development; children who are at a similar stage of development should be in the same group. Each group should consist of between 6 and 8 children and should meet with the teacher in a focus group at least 3 to 4 times a week.

Classroom Arrangement

• The focus group is at the board.
• The data projector is displaying the NumberSense Workbook page that the focus group is working on.
• The remaining groups of children are sitting at their desks.
• Each child has:
  • A “thinking book” (a jotter, not a whiteboard) in which to make notes and/or calculations as needed
  • Their NumberSense Workbook open to the correct page
  • A pen and/or pencil (no eraser) with which to write (calculators are allowed where necessary/appropriate)

Children complete pages in the workbooks in preparation for their focus group session. Because children have typically “seen/done” each page previously they should be able to make a start. The focus group session is used to reflect on the activity.

For further detail on the Intermediate Phase classroom organisation, visit the Resources tab.