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What your child will learn in maths#
They learn to think logically and solve problems, making connections between maths and statistics while exploring patterns and differences.
Your child will also learn how to explain their thinking clearly using maths language, symbols, and conventions. They use different ways to represent their ideas, like number lines for understanding numbers or equations for recognising patterns. They start making generalisations, figuring out unknown values (like the size of angles), and using data to explore ideas and make predictions.
Throughout Year 7 students get plenty of opportunities to build their understanding, skills and confidence in these areas.
Having good mathematical skills and a positive view of themselves as maths learners will help your child in the future. They are important for things like solving problems and creative thinking. When talking to your child about maths, encourage your child to use the vocabulary that they have been using in their maths classes.
Looking ahead to secondary school, to earn a formal qualification students need to show they have basic reading, writing, and maths skills. These essential skills will help them succeed in future study, work, and everyday life. Much of what students learn in Years 7 and 8 will be included in the Numeracy co-requisite assessment.
Numbers#
With your child, you could:
- play times tables games, including the division facts – for example, 7 x 8 = 56 and 56 ÷ 8 = 7
- talk about sales in town, such as 25% off, 30%, 10% or half price, and look for the best value
- talk about goals and plan to budget for items for themselves or others.
Your child is learning to:
- Multiply and divide bigger and smaller numbers by using their multiplication facts and multiplying and dividing whole numbers (including dividing by 2-digit numbers), using order of operations and multiplying fractions and decimals by whole numbers.
- Further develop understanding of fractions, decimals and percentages by using decimals to 3 places, converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages, and solving percentage problems. For example, "25% is $100, what is the total?" They will also add and subtract fractions with different denominators. For example, 3/5 + 1/3.
- Apply maths to financial situations by calculating costs, change, and percentage discounts.
Words include:
- discount
- divisibility rule
- exponent
- highest common factor (HCF)
- integer
- lowest (least) common multiple (LCM)
- simplify
- square root.
Algebra#
With your child, you could:
- create mystery number challenge like "I'm thinking of a number that, when multiplied by 5 and increased by 3, equals 28. What's my number?"
- work out costs for family events, such as, “movie tickets are $13.50 per person, and we have 6 people, plus 2 popcorns at $11 each”
- plan and perform a rap, dance, or action song and draw up the outline of the dance steps on graph paper.
Your child is learning to:
- solve equations and use formulas by using variables (letters in place of a missing number) and substituting values into expressions (for example, w + 12 when w = 4)
- investigate growing patterns, and write the rule using numbers and symbols, (for example 5, 11, 23 = x 2 and add 1)
- create, test, and revise algorithms (step-by-step instructions) involving a sequence of steps and decisions.
Words include:
- coefficient
- coordinate
- expression
- like term
- line graph
- reciprocal
- X-axis, horizontal axis
- XY plane
- Y-axis, vertical axis.
Measurement#
With your child, you could:
- plan a journey using a bus or train timetable and find out how long it will take to get to 3 different destinations.
- talk about any measurements you use in your work, or daily life
- talk about speed limits when you are driving
- look at a step counter on your phone or a pedometer, and talk about how many steps you each take to cover a kilometre.
Your child is learning to:
- Measure and convert units by continuing to develop their skill with estimating and measuring length, area, volume, weight, temperature, time, and angles. They choose the right tools and units, converting between metric units, and using decimals to express measurements. For example 724 g = 0.724 kg.
- Solve problems using time by reading and interpreting schedules to plan journeys and calculate travel times.
- Explore shapes and space using measurement by investigating perimeter, area, and volume, including with shapes made up of several shapes, and finding missing measurements in real-life situations.
Words include:
- composite shape
- digital
- duration
- formula
- rate
- speed.
Geometry#
With your child, you could:
- Play guess the shape, where 1 person describes a shape using its attributes. For example, "this shape has 4 equal sides and 4 right angles", and the other person has to name and draw it.
- Find 3D shapes around the house (like jars, boxes and blocks) and draw what it looks like from each side and above. Then draw what they think it looks like from underneath. Once finished, check the underneath of the real object against the drawing. As a challenge, combine objects to create a more interesting shape and then draw again.
- Discuss directions during car trips or walks. For example, "we're heading southwest now".
Your child is learning to:
- understand shapes and angles by classifying shapes by their properties, identifying and drawing types of angles and lines and visualising shapes from different perspectives. Your child will also transform shapes by resizing them
- read and use maps using coordinates, measuring precise turns with angles, and using compass directions (including NE, SW) to navigate and give directions.
Words include:
- complementary or supplementary angle
- scale factor.
Statistics#
With your child, you could choose a favourite athlete or team and track their performance statistics over several games, calculating averages and identifying trends.
Your child is learning to:
- Explore real data by investigating topics like community issues by asking questions and predicting results. For example, "what is the most popular way people travel to school?".
- Collect and analyse data by gathering data through surveys, research, and observations, making sure of your fairness and accuracy.
- Present and make sense of data by selecting and creating appropriate charts and graphs to organise information, describing and comparing results to predictions, and drawing conclusions.
- Develop statistical literacy by evaluating others' data and claims to decide if they are supported by evidence.
Words include:
- continuous data
- critique
- interpret
- measure of centre (mean, median, mode).
Probability#
With your child, you could:
- track weather forecasts against actual conditions to calculate the accuracy percentage of predictions
- play board, card or dice games and talk about the chances of rolling the number you want or drawing the card you want.
Your child is learning to plan and carry out probability experiments, using digital tools to:
- investigate probability by designing and conducting chance-based experiments, predicting possible outcomes and systematically listing all possibilities
- collect and analyse data by recording results, creating visual representations (like charts and graphs) and calculating probability estimates
- compare and reflect on outcomes by comparing their findings with theoretical probabilities and those of others, identifying patterns and evaluating whether results match expectations.
Words include:
- dependent, independent
- event
- experiment
- experimental or theoretical probability
- trial.
Resource#
Maths at home - Year 7 NZ Curriculum