1. Department of Education
Scaffolding Numeracy in the Middle Years Project Findings, Materials and Resources
An Australian Research Council Linkage Project conducted by a team from RMIT University in collaboration with the Department of Education & Training Victoria and the Tasmanian Department of Education from July
2003 to June 2006.
Prepared by the RMIT Research Team led
by Professor Dianne Siemon
RMIT University, October 2006.
TASMANIA
Department of Education

2. About this CD-ROM
This CD-ROM contains a brief description of the project, a report on project findings, and copies of the
materials and resources used in conjunction with the Scaffolding Numeracy in the Middle Years Linkage
Project (SNMY).
The report on project findings includes a rationale for the analyses used, a detailed data report, and a
summary of outcomes in relation to the research questions. It also includes the summary data provided to
research schools at the Cluster meetings in 2005 and 2006.
The materials include two validated Assessment Instruments, the elaborated and final version of the Learning
and Assessment Framework for Multiplicative Thinking, an Intervention Program for ‘At-Risk’ Students, a set of
targeted interventions in the form of Learning Plans for each level of the framework, and a number of school-
developed Authentic Tasks.
The resources include copies of the support materials used in professional development sessions and/or
school visits, papers and presentations not included elsewhere, and a bibliography.
The Research Team believes the information and material contained on the CD-ROM is a valuable and useful
resource to help scaffold the development of multiplicative thinking and thereby improve numeracy outcomes in
the middle years of schooling. However, as is true of all teaching and learning materials, teachers are advised
to carefully read the activities and tasks in relation to the Learning and Assessment Framework for
Multiplicative Thinking with a view to modifying or adapting the activities to suit the particular, identified learning
needs of their students.

3. Contents Overview and Project Findings
Assessment Materials for Multiplicative Thinking
Learning and Assessment Framework for Multiplicative Thinking
Intervention Teaching Program for At Risk Students
Learning Plans
Support Materials
Authentic Tasks
Papers and Presentations
Bibliography

4. Overview and Project Findings
Project Description and Acknowledgements
Research Approach and Rationale by Dr John Izard Adjunct Professor RMIT University
What We Have Learnt SNMY Research Cluster Meetings 05 (PowerPoint Presentation) SNMY Research Cluster Meetings 06 (PowerPoint Presentation)
Technical Data Report by Dr John Izard Adjunct Professor RMIT University
Summary of Project Outcomes by Professor Dianne Siemon & Dr John Izard Adjunct Professor RMIT University
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5. Assessment Materials for Multiplicative Thinking
Instructions for Teachers
Assessment Task Booklet Option 1
Assessment Task Booklet Option 2
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6. Learning and Assessment Framework for Multiplicative Thinking
Introduction
Learning Assessment Framework
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7. Intervention Teaching Program for At Risk Students
Introduction
Intervention Teaching Program for At Risk Students
by Margarita Breed 2006
Australian Postgraduate Award Industry scholarship recipient
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8. Learning Plans Introduction Level 4 Introducing Level 1 Consolidating
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9. Support Materials Introduction
SNMY Key Ideas and Strategies (PowerPoint)
Subitising Materials
Additional Assessment Tasks
Multiple Patterns
Multiplication Toss
Place Value Game
How Many Wholes Can You Make
Supermarket Packer
Target Practice
Factor Cross
Max’s Matchsticks
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10. Subitising Materials Subitisation Dice and Card Set
Subitisation Two Collections 1-5
Ten Frame Doubles Set
Ten Frame Build on Five Set
Subitisation Two Collections 1-7
Ten Frame Random Set
Two Ten Frame Set
Subitisation Three Collections 1-5
Subitisation Three Collections 1-7
Subitisation Four Collections 1-5
Subitisation Four Collections 1-7
Return to Support Materials
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11. Additional Assessment Tasks
Computer Game
Fencing the Freeway
Filling the Buses
How Far Is It
Missing Numbers
Orange Juice Task
Pizza Party
School Fair
Swimming Sports
Return to Support Materials
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12. Authentic Tasks Introduction Paper Audit Water Conservation
Authentic Task Guidelines
Pizza Day
Mini Golf
Sports Day
Fatty Foods
Health Survey
Healthy Lunches
Paper Audit
Water Conservation
A Useful Grid
Pocket Money
Interruptions Galore
Mud Bricks
Food Festival
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13. Papers and Presentations
From Additive to Multiplicative Thinking – The Big Challenge of the Middle Years by Professor Dianne Siemon, Margarita Breed and Jo Virgona
A New Use for an Old Tool – Cuisenaire by Professor Dianne Siemon and Margarita Breed
Multiplicative Thinking by Professor Dianne Siemon
Partitioning - The Missing Link in building Fraction Knowledge and Confidence by Professor Dianne Siemon
Teaching and Learning For about and Through Problem Solving by Professor Dianne Siemon and George Booker
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14. Papers and Presentations cont…
There’s More to Counting than Meets the Eye by Professor Dianne Siemon
From Their Point of View – Middle Years’ Students Perceptions of School Mathematics by Professor Dianne Siemon and Jo Virgona
The Derivation Of A Learning Assessment Framework For Multiplicative Thinking by Professor Dianne Siemon, Dr John Izard, Margarita Breed & Jo Virgona
Return to Papers and Presentations
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15. Bibliography
References and Further Readings
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