Dr Ange's Blog

Over the last ten years my three girls have started school. They are currently in Year 9, Year 6 and Year 1! 😲 My youngest, Mr 4, will be joining them in 2025! 

Whether it is your first child starting school or your seventh, the emotions are still high, as is the desire to want them to feel prep...

When I was growing up I often played golf alongside my dad, pa and uncles. The thing was, in ‘those days’ there wasn’t 'kids size' golf sticks available.

So for my 8^th birthday my dad and pa organised for an old '7 iron' and putter to be cut down to my size.

I was so excited to have golf sticks th...

In my work in the Numeracy Teachers Academy and as a Numeracy Consultant I have the privilege of  working with schools and teachers from across Australia (and beyond). I find it absolutely fascinating learning about the similarities and differences across education systems within our states and terr...

I am currently involved in the review of a primary school. I volunteered for the role of ‘challenge partner’ and I am loving the opportunity to see the inside workings of a school from the perspective of an 'outsider'.

As a teacher, I remember the first time my school was reviewed. I was the Numera...

On the holidays I took my 3 girls to see the ‘Barbie’ movie. To be honest, I was not really looking forward to seeing the movie, as I am still angry at Mattel for producing a Teen Talk Barbie in 1992 which said the phrase “Math class in tough” (see here for more information). However, the girls were...

Earlier this year I was preparing for a conference keynote presentation. The session was looking at assessment, and I was very excited to share my thoughts/ideas and research. I always like to weave personal stories into my work to help illustrate my thoughts (you may have noticed this in my blogs!)...

When I was in Year 7 I remember being excited to learn music. I had never played an instrument and I was looking forward to seeing what 'real' music was all about.

It took me exactly 10 minutes to decide I hated music and did not want to go to another class.

You might be wondering what made me fee...

You may or may not know that both my parents are teachers. Interestingly, my Year 6 daughter wrote in her yearbook that she wants to be a teacher when she grows up- building a dynasty, one generation at a time!😂

My mum actually taught at my Primary School. She was our PE teacher and took my class f...

Have you ever noticed that when a student counts there are critical flash points that indicate if they have a deep understanding of the patterns within of our number system? 

In Foundation you might see a student struggling with 44,45,46,47,48,49....(pause for 4 seconds)... 40 'ten'.

A common chal...

Today I wanted to start by saying that I am a pseudo-vegetarian. Basically, this means if anyone asks, I say I am vegetarian, but I actually eat several meat dishes. In fact my favourite is beef lasagne!🤷‍♀️

You may be wondering, why I say I am vegetarian... basically because it is easier...

I dis...

My graduate class was a tough bunch of Year 1/2 students. There were learning needs, behavioural issues and some challenging parents thrown into the mix. When I look back now I am grateful I was given that class as they made me into the teacher I am today, however at the time it was hard!

I am sure...

On the school holidays I had the pleasure of spending four days in beautiful Newcastle in New South Wales. I was attending the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) conference presenting a research paper titled “Rethinking the Number Magnitude-based Progression: An Analysis of ...