Boys love to explore

• In order to learn Maths well, we must start with the very “beginning”. Our school-based Maths curriculum is based on Hans Freudenthal’s (1973) educational concept in that to learn maths is to participate in the reinvention of mathematics products. This is to teach and organize teaching based on the concept of “mathematising”, which is to let students experience the creation of mathematics products, let them understand the process of having something from nothing, and having details from vagueness. Students are to experience, through activities, exploration and development, how a complex mathematics concept is derived from a simple inquiry. In such a way of learning, participants will master the unique way of mathematical mental processing, understand the origins of mathematics products and internalize the use of mathematics language.

• The teaching and learning mode for mathematics in Ying Wa Primary School is never a recitation of conclusions or drilling. Instead, students are to develop their higher-ordered thinking skills in exploring and problem-solving. Lessons for thinking training are incorporated into the curriculum of each level. Teachers lead students to learn a variety of problem-solving skills and ways of thinking.

Boys love activities

• Besides the teaching-related activities in class, students can have access to a range of mathematics-related chess and games. These not only help enhance students’ logical thinking, but their learning motivation is also boosted. 
• To enhance students’ speed and ability in calculation, we hold a “Speed Maths Contest” every year. The event nurtures the competitive spirit in our boys, who will in turn equip themselves with solid mathematics skills;
• We have a Mathematics School Team. After training, teammates join open competition to broaden their horizons.
• Yearly, we have a large-scaled Mathematics Day with various activities involving Maths Tour, booths, Q&A contests as well as a Rummikub contest. Students receive teacher-edited Mathematics Newsletters regularly, through which readers take in mathematics knowledge as well as enjoying comics, leisure questions and games related to the subject. The newsletters also display students’ work, show recent activities and lists of award recipients.

Preparing for “through-train”

• Our curriculum is Chinese (Cantonese) based, so that students are able to fully grasp the mathematical skills and knowledge they are supposed to have at primary levels. Yet, to bridge them for the English-medium mathematics curriculum in the secondary level, we have added an adequate amount of English content in our regular teaching and assessment papers of all levels. While this act may as well be seen as an enhancement measure, we do it for better preparing learners for their secondary school studies.