Access the activity in Geometry: Emily’s Castle (work sample 5)

1. In small groups or as a class, read through the Summary of task, and discuss Part A and Part B.
2. Then open the samples: Satisfactory, Above Satisfactory and Below Satisfactory.
3. Compare the students’ answers provided and discuss why your class thinks that the answers are Satisfactory or not.
4. 
   Then do a Geometry problem at a Year 6 level. Do this as a class. You can use the problem below or select an alternative from your classroom if that is more relevant.
   • What is the length of side R?
   • Provide students with graph paper.
   • Ask students to show their working out.
   • Ask students to explain their reasoning.
5. As a class, discuss the Geometry problem. What would make a response Satisfactory, Below Satisfactory or Above Satisfactory?
6. What have students noticed?
   • Do they have any common expectations as a group?
   • Do their notions of what is Above/Below/Satisfactory align or differ?
7. What are the differences between the Year 6 and Year 7 task? Is it a giant leap from Year 6 to Year 7? Or, do students think this is a reasonable expectation after another year of Mathematics?
8. What can we do if it feels like the increased expectations will be too much?

With this task, teachers will need to differentiate as per their usual practice in their classroom. There may be some students who would benefit from viewing and comparing different year level expectations, e.g., Year 5–6, or Year 7–9.