The Beauty of Mathematics
Mathematics in the college is designed to help all students develop the capacity for mathematical thinking in a challenging, creative, and comprehensive way.
We work both inductively – discovering mathematical truths through experiment and, at a later stage, deductively – demonstrating why they are the case through proof. There is a large proportion of creative problem solving, and students are given the opportunity to observe their thinking in a variety of ways: seeking points of departure, choosing examples or counter-examples, systematically running an investigation and proving the results.
The most important aim in teaching mathematics is to develop the students’ ability to think with a wide range of approaches until they get to the logical conclusion, and to give them confidence in themselves and in their thinking. The two main areas of study are number and algebra and geometry.
Mathematics is taught in both main lessons and practice lessons. Main lessons are taught to whole classes and provide students with a unique and immersive mathematical experience. Students have time to explore mathematical ideas in a creative way and within a historical context. The main lessons in Class 9 are currently Probability and Possibility, which looks at the relationship between experiment and theory, and Euclidean Geometry, which is an exploration of geometric proof. In Class 10 we do a wonderful practical main lesson in Surveying and one in Trigonometry where students derive the trigonometric ratios themselves, again working both inductively and deductively. In Class 11 the students’ experience of geometry is broadened with an introduction to projective geometry, which steps outside of Euclidean space.
Practice lessons explore a range of topics in number, algebra and geometry and are usually divided by skill level – depending on the ability spread of the class. Everyone takes these lessons in Class 9 and 10. Assessment will be continuous on a block by block basis. This may be by an end of topic test sat in class or by assessment tasks that are carried out over a number of lessons. From Class 10 these will count towards their Certificate of Steiner Education. Practice lessons become optional part way through Class 11 as long as all the numeracy points required for university entrance have been gained. Those who wish to continue with mathematics can do so in Class 11 and 12 where we explore higher level topics such as complex number theory and calculus. For those who are keen to study mathematics at university level there will also be the option to explore an area of their choice in depth for their Class 12 project.
We work both inductively – discovering mathematical truths through experiment and, at a later stage, deductively – demonstrating why they are the case through proof. There is a large proportion of creative problem solving, and students are given the opportunity to observe their thinking in a variety of ways: seeking points of departure, choosing examples or counter-examples, systematically running an investigation and proving the results.
The most important aim in teaching mathematics is to develop the students’ ability to think with a wide range of approaches until they get to the logical conclusion, and to give them confidence in themselves and in their thinking. The two main areas of study are number and algebra and geometry.
Mathematics is taught in both main lessons and practice lessons. Main lessons are taught to whole classes and provide students with a unique and immersive mathematical experience. Students have time to explore mathematical ideas in a creative way and within a historical context. The main lessons in Class 9 are currently Probability and Possibility, which looks at the relationship between experiment and theory, and Euclidean Geometry, which is an exploration of geometric proof. In Class 10 we do a wonderful practical main lesson in Surveying and one in Trigonometry where students derive the trigonometric ratios themselves, again working both inductively and deductively. In Class 11 the students’ experience of geometry is broadened with an introduction to projective geometry, which steps outside of Euclidean space.
Practice lessons explore a range of topics in number, algebra and geometry and are usually divided by skill level – depending on the ability spread of the class. Everyone takes these lessons in Class 9 and 10. Assessment will be continuous on a block by block basis. This may be by an end of topic test sat in class or by assessment tasks that are carried out over a number of lessons. From Class 10 these will count towards their Certificate of Steiner Education. Practice lessons become optional part way through Class 11 as long as all the numeracy points required for university entrance have been gained. Those who wish to continue with mathematics can do so in Class 11 and 12 where we explore higher level topics such as complex number theory and calculus. For those who are keen to study mathematics at university level there will also be the option to explore an area of their choice in depth for their Class 12 project.
