Maths
Subject Leader: Miss M Munford-Fenwick
Maths is a set of lifelong skills that children develop whilst at school. Children need to learn maths so that they can work systematically, calculate and solve problems. Additionally, it has many different applications throughout adult life.
At Great Smeaton, we focus on three key elements:
- Fluency
- Reasoning
- Problem solving.
Lessons are shaped to support learning in these fundamental areas. Children have opportunities to practice methods (fluency), to apply their learning and explain their thinking (reasoning) and use acquired knowledge to solve problems in a variety of contexts (problem solving) over the course of a lesson or a series of lessons.
Throughout, maths lessons are delivered through a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach (CPA). Pupils have the opportunity to explore physical models (concrete), before moving on to draw their representations (pictorial) and then move to traditional written recording (abstract). It is important pupils have exposure to different representations to support a deeper understanding of maths. It also helps pupils to make connections between different areas of maths.
We aim to provide a high-quality mathematics education with a mastery approach so that all children will:
- become fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics, including carried and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that they develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
- reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language.
- can solve problems by applying Mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions. Mathematics is an interconnected subject in which learners need to be able to move fluently between representations of Mathematical ideas, with the intention that they can apply learnt concepts to other areas of the curriculum.
Early Years, Key Stage 1 and 2
Mathematics development in Early Years involves providing children with opportunities to practise and improve their skills in counting numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems, and to describe shapes, spaces and measures. We continually observe and assess children in these areas using age-related objectives and plan the next steps in their mathematics development through a topic-based curriculum. There are opportunities for children in EYFS to encounter maths – both inside and outside – through planned activities and through continuous provision where children self-select easily accessible quality maths resources.
In both Key Stage 1 and 2, children study mathematics daily covering a broad and balanced mathematical curriculum including elements of number, calculation, geometry, measures and statistics. We use the ‘White Rose’ maths programme as the basis for planning our teaching and learning in Maths, supplemented by other resources where appropriate. All our children have access to a wide range of manipulatives (known as concrete resources) to help support their understanding of key mathematical concepts. These concepts are developed and revisited, building upon prior learning. Teaching of the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) is supported by our Calculation Policy.
Year 4 multiplication tables check
Schools in England are required to administer an online multiplication tables check to Y4 pupils. The purpose of this is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is considered essential for future success in mathematics. To support the children with their multiplication practise we use online learning platforms and offer other resources to be used in the classroom.
How can parents help?
There are lots of great ways to support your child at home with mathematics. The key is to make it as fun and positive as possible and playing games is an excellent way of doing this. Carefully selected games can help with recognising patterns, creating mental images of numbers and helping to become fluent and flexible with calculations.
Some examples of games you could play: Shut the box, Rummikub, Card games, Dominoes, Battleships, Pick up sticks (with scoring)
Some examples of some specific maths games you could play:
How-close-to-100-handout (game to print off and play) and How close to 100 instructions
BBC Super Movers – Times table songs
Links to other useful websites that can support maths:
numberblocks - This BBC website is especially suitable for EYFS Reception children
Mr DeMaio creates fantastic educational videos, including this playlist of songs to help your children learn their multiplication tables.
Laugh Along and Learn also have a collection of Times Tables songs that your children can sing!
This playlist from Happy Learning English has some times tables songs, as well as videos about shapes and measurements.
The Singing Walrus has lots of songs to teach children about numbers and counting
Parents can also support their children in a number of other ways:
- Become familiar with the school’s Calculation Policy, this shows how we introduce concepts and how new strategies are introduced over time. This will help you to support them with their learning.
- Talk about their understanding. Allow the children to articulate what they can do and show you with their preferred method as this will identify the area they may need support with. Often children understand a large portion of what is required but may require support on a single area. Use the phrases ‘Show me what you can do!’ and ‘Which part of the question do you find difficult?’
- Use Purple Mash with your child. Purple Mash is our new online resource designed to support learning at home.
- Practise multiplication tables. Multiplication tables are a vital skill and help children to generate other known facts. Learning them can be done in a number of fun ways; through songs, using the TT Rockstars app and through games such as Ping-Pong that the children are familiar with.