From Research to Reality: A Primary Maths Resource Toolkit

Recent findings from the Grattan Institute’s The Maths Guarantee report have once again brought attention to a challenge many of us see every day: too many students are slipping through the cracks in maths. The good news? The report doesn’t just highlight the problem: it offers a clear, research-backed way forward through structured teaching, targeted support, and professional growth.
As teachers and leaders, we care deeply; but we’re also busy. That’s why I’ve curated a practical set of resources aligned to the report’s key recommendations. Think of it as a toolkit to help move from ideas to action, so we can make a real difference, without reinventing the wheel.

Books to build understanding

• How I Wish I’d Taught Maths – Craig Barton: A reflective exploration of teaching practices grounded in cognitive science and real classroom experience.
• Direct Instruction Mathematics – Stein et al: A comprehensive guide to implementing DI effectively for mathematics mastery.
• Effective Mathematics Teaching – Morkunas, Hatten-Roberts & Swain: Chapter 8 in Harnessing the Science of Learning offers a rich overview of practices that align with the science of learning and effective maths pedagogy.

 Reports that outline the science of maths instruction

• The Science of Mathematics and How to Apply It: Explains how explicit instruction helps students build robust mathematical understanding.
• Maths Practices You Can Count On: Describes five classroom practices backed by research to improve learning.
• Myths That Undermine Maths Teaching: Debunks popular but ineffective teaching myths in mathematics.
• Equity and Excellence? What Australia can learn from high-performance countries in mathematics education: Liana McCurry's 2022 Churchill Fellowship exploring what other countries get right in maths education.  
• Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1: Practical guidance for strengthening early numeracy through structured, evidence-based practices.
• Improving Mathematics in Key Stages 2 & 3: More guidance from the EEF, this time focusing on 7-14 year olds.
• Teaching with the Big Ideas in Mathematics – Di Siemon: Shows how focusing on core concepts guides curriculum design and instruction.

Podcasts to hear from leading thinkers

• Chalk and Talk – Episodes 29 & 30 with Brian Poncy: Explores how to develop automaticity in number facts through structured practice.
• Education Research Reading Room: Episode #099 with David Morkunas covers how to plan and deliver effective maths lessons; Episode #051 with Michael Pershan focuses on worked examples and cognitive load.
• Mr Barton Maths: Episode #020 with Greg Ashman discusses the benefits of explicit instruction in mathematics.
• Knowledge for Teachers: S02E19 highlights ways to build number sense; S02E05 dives into strategies for word problem solving.

Screener for early identification

• Acadience Math: A validated assessment tool for identifying at-risk students and tracking progress in core math skills.

Websites & Tools for Targeted Support

• MIND: Offers intervention tools grounded in the instructional hierarchy to support skill fluency.
• Learning Trajectories: Helps educators match instruction to developmental progressions in mathematical thinking.
• 1 Minute Maths: Engaging app to reinforce number facts in short, focused bursts.
• Times Tables Rock Stars: Motivates students to master multiplication facts through gamified practice.

Curriculum

• Ochre Education: Free high-quality lessons to support clear, structured teaching aligned to the curriculum.
• Explicit Mathematics Program: A new high-quality, rigorous maths program that embeds explicit teaching and guided practice.
• Maths Mastery: A Direct Instruction program using daily, data-driven lessons to build maths mastery.
• White Rose Maths: Offers developmental sequences and lesson resources matched to student learning progressions.

Recorded webinars

• Think Forward Educators Maths Network: Professional network offering regular events and webinars on maths instruction.
• Science of Maths and the Importance of Fluency – Toni Hatten-Roberts: unpacks why fluency in mathematics matters and how schools can build it through structured teaching and purposeful practice.
• Structuring an Explicit Maths Lesson – Samantha Charlton: Breaks down how to design a lesson with clear explanations, examples, and practice.

• Laying Mathematical Foundations – James Dobson (it's me!): Explains how structured routines and concept development foster strong numeracy skills.
• Using the Instructional Hierarchy – Brian Poncy: Illustrates how to scaffold support based on student learning stages.
• Spaced Interleaved and Retrieval Practice – Dave Morkunas: Discusses how memory and spacing strategies improve retention and transfer in maths.

Blogs for practical reflection and inspiration

• Dr Ange's Blog: Covers curriculum leadership and effective teaching strategies from a numeracy coaching perspective.
• Brad Nguyen – What Makes a Great Maths Curriculum: Discusses the elements that make maths programs both effective and sustainable.

Conferences

• Sharing Best Practice: Showcases research-aligned practices from expert teachers. Tickets for Melbourne North on 3rd May 2025 are on sale!
• What Works Series: A PL event spotlighting effective instruction and school-led innovation in maths. They've been held in Geelong & Melbourne- stay tuned for where the next one is...

The Grattan report isn’t just another document to add to the pile. It’s a practical blueprint backed by decades of research. But its real power lies in what we do next. Let’s use the tools at our fingertips to ensure every student builds the strong mathematical foundation they deserve.