Taking Off With Numeracy (TOWN) Part I

While I was off on Maternity Leave, my colleagues participated in a number of professional learning sessions around TOWN (Taking Off With Numeracy). Since I have come back, I have had to do some catching up and I thought today I'd share what I've learned and how I'm applying it.

What is TOWN?

Taking Off With Numeracy (TOWN) is a whole-class intervention initiative which focuses on improving numeracy skills of students in the upper primary years identified as not performing at expected stage level. The initiative provides ongoing professional learning over the school year to assist teachers to assess each student’s current numeracy understanding and to monitor student progress against a research-based framework. Beyond this, the program aims to provide explicit guidance in designing whole class teaching programs to further develop each student’s numeracy understanding. Emphasis is given to the teaching sequence related to developing Place Value, as it underpins the four operations and decimals, as well as important concepts in measurement. Focus is also given to the teaching of Multiplication and Division concepts. 

(information taken from http://www.takingoffwithnumeracy.com.au) 

How and when does TOWN occur?

In my class, TOWN activities occur three times a week. Students participate in the same activity across the week, developing their ability and improving their skills. Each of the three sessions go for 10 minutes. We are currently focussing on place value.

I have a visual prompt on the board as the TOWN activities are differentiated, so you may have three or more variations happening at the one time. Materials are organised into tubs so that they're easily accessed.

What resources are needed?

Most of the resources needed can be found in the DENS books. Other resources include playing cards, dice, unifix cubes, counters, MAB Blocks and other maths equipment found around the classroom. Students will also need a book to put their working out in, a mini whiteboard and whiteboard marker. However one of the things that I love about TOWNS is that it is pretty adaptable. 

I am currently building up a bank of activities and I will share these with you in the near future. So make sure you check back here!