Is Number Sense a Natural Skill?
PRESENTED BY JAMES DOBSON
In this session, James session builds teacher understanding of how number sense develops by exploring the Munduruku counting system as a lens for examining innate numerical abilities, and which should be taught. The concept of number sense is unpacked, providing practical tips for teaching these skills in the early years of school, including counting patterns, subitising, partitioning, and the effective use of manipulatives.
You will walk away with clear, explicit strategies to build number sense and help develop confident, flexible young mathematicians.
About James Dobson
James Dobson is a highly experienced teacher, school leader and instructional coach, known for driving school improvement and building teacher capacity across diverse settings. With more than a decade of impact across urban, regional and remote schools, James has consistently supported teams to lift student outcomes through clarity, collaboration, and a relentless focus on effective practice. He holds a Master of Education in Expert Teaching Practice and brings deep expertise in evidence-based instruction, assessment and curriculum implementation.
A finalist in the 2022 Victorian Education Excellence Awards for Outstanding Primary Teacher, and founder of Laying the Foundations, James translates the science of learning into the art of teaching with actionable strategies that will help you support your students to thrive.
