Three Year 8 Maths classes – Mrs. van Riet’s and Mr. McGown’s – recently worked on an investigation aimed at providing students with more learner agency and an opportunity to create, collect and interpret data.
The students were encouraged to consider school-related topics they were interested in, such as the canteen, school uniform and Sports Day. They then formed a series of questions and discussed how to best word each one, determining whether it was open or closed. Across the classes, we also researched the difference between a census and a sample.
All students then surveyed and recorded other Year 8 students’ responses – it was wonderful to see so many ask questions and converse with students they may not often speak to. The data was then collated, graphs created, and findings analysed. Students were then required to write an investigation report which explained the process for forming their questions, and collecting, recording, analysing and finally interpreting their data.
FUN FACTS:
· 58% of Year 8 students stated they attended Sports Day this year
· 81% of students stated the canteen prices were ‘fair’
· the majority of students would like a PLHS hoodie as part of our school uniform
· 40% of students were happy to see hot chips on the canteen menu
Some Year 8 classes were then given the opportunity to discuss the process of collecting data and their findings with members of Leadership and other teachers. I was very proud of the students’ group work and also of their final investigation reports. It was also great to see their pride in their own work and their willingness to share their findings with canteen staff, our school captains and relevant faculty leaders.
~ Mrs. Nat van Riet (Maths Teacher)
