Out of the Classroom, into the Home

In Australia, the term numeracy is used to describe “the competence and disposition to use mathematics to meet the general demands of life at home, in paid work, and for participation in community and civic life” (Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers 1997, p. 15). The implemented mathematics curriculum is responsible for introducing and developing the mathematical underpinning of numeracy (Department of Education, Community, and Cultural Development [DECCD] 1997), but the nature of numeracy suggests that it cannot be developed solely within mathematics lessons and classrooms and that it cannot be assumed that learning mathematics will automatically produce numerate students (Murcia, Powell, and Van Wyke 2006). The ability to use their acquired mathematical knowledge, understanding, and skills in everyday situations requires that students develop experience and confidence (DECCD 1997); the two programs outlined in this article provide opportunities for this to occur.