Creative Classrooms: Teaching Years 9-10 using AMSI’s new ICE-EM maths textbooks

In this episode of MathsTalk, Leanne continues the conversation about using textbooks creatively, moving from Years 7 and 8 into the more complex terrain of Years 9 and 10.

While many of the same principles still apply; conceptual understanding, mathematical language, structured lessons and exercises used for thinking rather than just completion, Years 9 and 10 bring their own challenges. Students are working with more demanding content, wider gaps in assumed knowledge, more entrenched mathematical identities, and a stronger need to see relevance in what they are learning.

This episode explores how teachers can use a resource such as the AMSI ICE-EM books to support both students who need consolidation and students who are ready for greater challenge. It considers how textbook exercises can be used to reveal structure, diagnose misconceptions, support mathematical communication, and keep mixed-ability classes working around the same important mathematical ideas.

In this episode

Leanne discusses:

• why Years 9 and 10 are not simply “harder Years 7 and 8”

• how older misconceptions can affect the learning of more demanding content

• the importance of mathematical language, reasoning and explanation

• how to use textbook exercises for thinking, not just completion

• why relevance becomes more important in Years 9 and 10

• ways to support mixed-ability classes without watering down the mathematics

• how anxiety, disengagement and behaviour can be connected to students’ mathematical histories

• five planning questions teachers can use when working from the textbook

Reflection questions for teachers

When planning from the textbook, consider:

1. What is the core mathematical idea?

2. What prior knowledge is being assumed?

3. What misconceptions or avoidance patterns am I likely to meet?

4. Which parts of the textbook sequence matter most?

5. How can I preserve common mathematical access while supporting a wide range of learners?

Links and resources

AMSI ICE-EM Mathematics Textbooks https://schools.amsi.org.au/ice-em-mathematics-textbooks/ AMSI’s ICE-EM Mathematics series covers Years 5–10 and is designed to develop mathematical ideas with depth, support and challenge. (AMSI Schools)

Texas Instruments Australia Teacher Resource Centre https://education.ti.com/en-au/teachers Free professional learning and Australian curriculum-aligned resources for classroom technology. (education.ti.com)

Australian Curriculum: Mathematics https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/curriculum-information/understand-this-learning-area/mathematics/ Useful for considering the role of reasoning, problem-solving, fluency, understanding and mathematical communication across F–10. (Australian Curriculum)

AMSI Careers https://careers.amsi.org.au/ Resources for helping students see where mathematics can lead, including career profiles, videos and real-world applications. (AMSI Careers)

Open Middle https://www.openmiddle.com/ Problems with a shared starting point and answer, but multiple possible strategies and pathways. (