Effective Primary Maths Teaching: What Works and Why (Online | Two Full Days)

What

While there’s been strong momentum for the science of reading, what about maths? Brendan will explore what the research reveals about effective maths instruction, highlighting the importance of aligning teaching with how learning happens. Across these sessions, he will go beyond summarising research—he’ll delve into practical implications, showing teachers how to bring these concepts to life in the classroom. Highly interactive, the sessions will offer plenty of opportunities for teachers to engage, practice, and respond. Brendan will also focus on implementing each key idea effectively within school settings.

How

Spaced out over two jam-packed days, Brendan will cover a lot of content. However, by the end of each day, participants will leave with an actionable plan to implement. A workbook will be provided to support your learning over the two days. 

Who

For all primary teachers who want to improve their teaching of maths. Participants who are familiar with the science of learning will recognise many of the strategies and see the links in maths. If teachers attending are new to the science of learning, they’ll be encouraged to be kind to themselves and focus on taking away one key element from each session.

When

9am-3pm (break 1: 11am-11.30am and break 2: 1.30pm-2pm) AET

Day 1 (Monday 4 August, 2025) 

Day 2 (Monday 1 September, 2025) 

Where

100% Online - This format increases accessibility. While we’ll miss the positive energy from in-person sessions, participants will still have ample opportunities to collaborate and network from the comfort of their home or office. 😊

You will be sent the Zoom link prior to the first day.

Overview of the two days

Session 1 (5 hours of learning): This session will provide a brief overview of the science of learning before delving into the key principles required for effective maths instruction. Brendan will explain the significance of the Instructional Hierarchy for teachers, detailing the “what” and “when” of specific teaching tactics. He will cover the Gradual Release of Responsibility model and various scaffolding techniques to support maths learning. This session will also describe how teachers can use the concrete-pictorial-abstract framework effectively.

Session 2 (5 hours of learning): In the second session, Brendan will cover Daily Reviews (and get teachers to participate in some retrieval practice), assessment practices, and strategies for building fluency. He’ll review the do's and don'ts, common mistakes, and how to address them. Finally, he’ll explore word problems and how to strengthen students' skills in approaching them.

Testimonials

"The PL was so informative. It was practical and gave you strategies to take back to the classroom. Time was provided to discuss ideas and share. This was extremely beneficial." 

Sarah P, St Andrew's Catholic College

"This course was a fantastic, well-paced sequence of two online full day workshops that explored a variety of methods and strategies for productive learning in maths. Informed by the Science of Learning, Brendan’s workshops provided a range of useable teaching approaches to support maths learning from acquisition to fluency in mathematics. The combination of expert presentation and time to work with colleagues was engaging and productive. So many great resources to explore now too! Thanks for providing the direction our school needs in mathematics, Brendan. 

Liz Williams, Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School

"These sessions helped me to understand the bigger picture of effective maths teaching. I loved the practical ideas and ways that you can refine what you may already be doing."

Scott, Botanic Ridge Primary School

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers​

• 1.1 Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students
• 1.2 Understand how students learn
• 1.3 Students with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
• 1.5 Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities
• 1.6 Strategies to support full participation of students with disability
• 2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area
  2.3 Curriculum, assessment and reporting
• 2.5 Literacy and numeracy strategies
• 3.3 Use teaching strategies
• 3.5 Use effective classroom communication
• 5.1 Assess student learning
• 5.4 Interpret student data
• 6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice
• 6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice

About Brendan
Brendan Lee is a seasoned primary school leader and educational consultant based in NSW, dedicated to bridging the gap between educational research and classroom practice. His passion for improving education was sparked when he delved into research and realised the challenge teachers face in accessing clear, actionable insights—especially in teaching maths. While the science of reading was well-documented, the path to effective maths instruction was less defined. Determined to address this, Brendan embarked on a journey to uncover the science of maths, discovering key principles that can transform teaching practices. 

Now, Brendan shares his findings to save other educators the time and effort of combing through research. He has collaborated with organisations such as AERO, CIS, Grattan Institute and Think Forward Educators. Brendan is also on the Board for Ochre Education. He travels across the country offering professional learning for teachers, writing insightful articles on his blog Learn with Lee (learnwithlee.net), and hosting the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, where he continues to champion evidence-based education.

FAQ

1. Can multiple participants attend from the same school? Yes, but they all need to individually register (you'll receive a 10% discount for 3 or more participants). They can watch the presentation together, but it is recommended that they all have individual mini-whiteboards.

2. Will it be recorded? Yes. If you miss a session, you’ll receive a recording within 24 hours. However, attending live is recommended for maximum engagement.

3. Can I join if I'm located outside of Australia? Absolutely! The event is fully online, so anyone with an internet connection can participate. Just be mindful of the time difference from AET (Australian Eastern Time).

4. Is there pre-reading or preparation required? No mandatory preparation is needed, but reviewing basic concepts on the science of learning and explicit instruction can be helpful, especially for those newer to the topic.

5. Can I ask specific questions about my classroom or school challenges? Yes! Brendan encourages participants to bring real-life examples and questions, and there will be Q&A periods and interactive discussions where he can provide tailored insights.

6. Will I get access to the presentation slides or resources after the session? Yes, all participants will receive access to the presentation slides and other relevant resources after each session for further reference.
7. Will there be a certificate of completion? Yes, participants can receive a certificate upon completing both days, which may contribute to professional development hours.

You can download a PDF version of this information here.