On 13th December 2024, an inspiring mathematics teaching seminar was held at Shenzhen Hong Kong Pui Kiu College Longhua Xinyi School (PKXYS), marking the start of an exciting initiative for teaching development.

In the morning session, mathematics department heads and core teachers from Hong Kong Pui Kiu College, alongside their counterparts at PKXYS, gathered with educational expert Ms. LIU Jinling from Beijing for an in-depth exploration of mathematics teaching content and pedagogy. The collaborative discussions sparked a wealth of ideas and reflections, as participants delved into the nuances of school-based research methodologies. Through expert analysis and exchange, the group was able to clarify the approach to enhancing teaching practice and chart the future direction for mathematics education.

▲Teachers from Shenzhen and Hong Kong engage in an in-depth discussion with educational expert Ms. LIU Jinling on the mathematics courses of the two schools

In the afternoon session, Ms. ZHU Dandan from Hong Kong Pui Kiu College and Ms. YE Beini from PKXYS each taught a class on the same topic: Understanding Speed. The "Same Topic, Different Approaches" format highlighted the distinct teaching styles of the two teachers and provided a glimpse into the diverse dynamics of mathematics classrooms. This session prompted further reflection on curriculum development, teaching implementation, and teacher professional growth discussed in the morning session.

▲Ms. ZHU Dandan's math class

▲Ms. YE Beini's math class

The final expert demonstration class was even more captivating! Ms. LIU Jinling, a distinguished teacher from Beijing and a mathematics teaching researcher in Xicheng District, began with a simple sequence of numbers to unveil the essence of primary school mathematics—numbers and shapes. Through practical engagement, she guided the students to grasp the fundamental concept of combining numbers and shapes. Each question in her lesson was carefully structured to promote students' progressive thinking. As the students exclaimed "Oh!" and "Ah, I see!" Ms. Liu led them into the depths of mathematical thinking, vividly illustrating mathematician HUA Luogeng's famous idea: "Numbers without shapes lack intuition; shapes without numbers lack depth." It was only when the bell rang that the children returned to the real world from the mathematical world, but their curiosity remained undimmed. The classroom buzzed with energy as the students gathered around Ms. LIU, eager to ask more questions and turn the curiosity aroused in class into a flurry of inquiries.

▲Ms. LIU Jinling providing feedback

In the review and summary session following the three demonstration lessons, teachers recognised that outstanding classroom teaching is a process that that sparks inspiration, showcases the beauty of mathematical thinking, and is thoughtfully designed and student-centred.

Representatives from Shenzhen Foreign Languages School (Primary) and Yulong School, along with Ms. REN Chunrong, Deputy Director of the Evaluation and Supervision Research Office at the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, also attended this significant teaching research event. 

The day-long mathematics teaching and research seminar not only sparked a passion for in-depth collaboration among teachers from Shenzhen and Hong Kong but also strengthened their commitment to excellence in mathematics education and their resolve to create distinctive, high-quality lessons at PKXYS.

The "Same Topic, Different Approaches" activity was not just an innovative teaching and research event for Pui Kiu teachers and students but also a new starting point. PKXYS and Hong Kong Pui Kiu College have agreed to hold similar seminars annually, focusing on curriculum refinement and classroom teaching research. These events will tackle key teaching challenges, further strengthening the collaboration and mutual learning between the two schools, and fostering professional growth among teachers while enhancing the quality of classroom teaching.

Author：Primary Mathematics Department