Toby Russo

Here are five games which situate retrieval practice of number facts and strategies within a bigger, meaningful context. We've enjoyed playing across a broad range of ages levels and can attest to curiosity they spark through play. mathsplay.org/blog/5-playful… #Maths #Play #MTBoS

Exciting times ahead. If you’re a new teacher or experienced teacher or leader looking for a change in 2025, please come along to our Recruitment Information Session. Can’t wait. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

Australian primary school teachers have strong preferences for using non-digital games over digital games to support maths instruction... and not because they are Luddites :) @tobyrusso @kath_cartwright @mminas8 @helenjwc @leicha @JBayWilliams researchgate.net/publication/38…

@admiral_stapler @littmath @standupmaths Cool, thanks. Why? Is it always the case?

@tobyrusso @littmath @standupmaths In general mn - n - m is the max number you cannot make.

My 13 y/o had this idea (‘Max’s theorem’). For any 2 co-prime numbers m&n, if you add only multiples of m&n the max number you can’t make is always <mn. Above that you can make every other number. Does it work? Is there a pattern to the maximum number? @littmath @standupmaths

To prove this Max says take the example 3&10. Multiples of 3 in base 10 will end in every base 10 digit. From there you can add multiples of 10 to get any other number. You can generalise this to work with any two numbers, if you show it in the base of the larger number.

Article is here… researchgate.net/publication/37…

‘Over Under On’ is a super fun & simple game we introduced in our article on different types of whole-class math games. A great way to explore probability and introduce game theory. Check out the full article here:

Our article aimed at helping primary teachers think about key types of whole-class maths games, and their relative affordances @tobyrusso @mminas8 @helenjwc @maths_vic @JBayWilliams @kath_cartwright @10001angela researchgate.net/publication/37…

@tobyrusso @QAMT @misterwootube @helenjwc @robertkaplinsky @MathsNSW @maths_vic @Fiona_Foley @16keller1 @LieslMcconchie @JBayWilliams @joboaler @IChoose2Teach @MrDixonMath @mathhombre @famulare_mike @KrisWestcott1 @kennedy_tierney @pwharris @KirstDy @ATMMathematics

@nomad_penguin Students enjoy doing this ‘Odd Couple’ problem which we’ve done after watching a scene from Shrek where Donkey and Dragon fall in love researchgate.net/publication/35… One of my favourite on nzmaths is Matchstick Patterns nzmaths.co.nz/resource/match… Ok, I’ll stop there! Too many options!

@nomad_penguin One of my recent favourites is the Gold Coin Puzzle, which encourages the use of manipulative to explore arrays, composite and prime numbers researchgate.net/publication/36…

I’m back teaching a problem-solving type course, this time for primary pre-service teachers. What are some of your favourite problems to help develop skills in thinking and working mathematically? I’d love to encounter some new ones.

@nomad_penguin And the Stained Glass Window problem is fun - again encouraging students in middle upper primary explore patterns by drawing and/or using manipulatives researchgate.net/publication/36…

@nomad_penguin Another I like is the Magic Lollipop Tree exploring triangular numbers researchgate.net/publication/36…

Primary teachers: Looking for a whole class place value game focussed on connecting representations and mathematical reasoning. You might want to check out Guess My Number: Two Questions and a Clue @tobyrusso @kath_cartwright @10001angela @helenjwc researchgate.net/publication/37…

Our article unpacking spotlighting -an approach for maintaining structure when teaching maths through inquiry @tobyrusso @kath_cartwright @mminas8 @janettebobis @helenjwc @maths_vic @10001angela @MrDixonMath @aamtinc @Fiona_Foley @MathsCirclesOz @joboaler researchgate.net/publication/37…

In case any teachers in the Melbourne area are looking for some end-of-term (affordable - $35) professional learning focussed on digital maths game @GervasoniAnn and I are running a full day PL at AMCI on Monday 11/9. Register here: acmi.net.au/education/scho… @tobyrusso @maths_vic

This is a chart of the percentage of 8 and 9 year old students who are still using the count-on from larger strategy when solving addition problems. Two different student groups are being compared. Can you guess the groups? If you’re interested: researchgate.net/publication/37…

We are going to try and post more games during 2023. The first is Fishing For Tens, which is incredibly easy to play and great way to help kids develop fluency. All you need to play is a regular deck of cards. Enjoy! youtube.com/watch?v=NVH-tP…