Mathematics
What is Mathematics?
Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject. (National Curriculum 2014)
Aims
The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:
- become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils 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 their 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 (National Curriculum 2014)
Organisation – KS1 and KS2
Children in KS1 and KS2 participate in regular mathematics lessons that are spread out during the week. The framework for the teaching and learning of Mathematics in our school is the National Curriculum in England: mathematics programme of study. This is delivered through a range of individually designed and commercially produced resources, most significant of which are ‘Big Maths’ which is available to all classes, with online support. Additional resources include Rising Stars Arithmetic, to match the objectives in the New Primary Mathematics Curriculum. A bank of other essential mathematical resources is kept in each classroom, on the shared computer system as well as a central store. The learning objectives are drawn from the National Curriculum 2014, Sonar Tracker as well as Big Maths.
We use ‘Big Maths’ to deliver core numeracy skills and outer numeracy. Once a week (or once every two weeks for younger pupils) all pupils complete an arithmetic test in addition to ‘Big Maths Beat That’ assessments.
Our pupils are also given regular opportunities to reason mathematically and explain their thinking as well as being challenging to show a deeper understanding of a mathematical concept through mastery.
What is Big Maths?
Big Maths is a teaching method created by Ben Harding that embraces the logical nature of maths, translating it into simple Steps and Progress Drives. This makes progress easy and fun for both children and teachers giving all pupils the opportunity to achieve. Other strategies approach the teaching of maths in the ‘traditional way’; giving teachers broad curriculum statements with little accurate guidance on how to get pupils there. In Big Maths there is great detail built into the system that allows all teachers to experience high subject knowledge and teacher expertise, therefore getting the chronology of the maths journey right for each child. Big Maths begins with a model of numeracy development that provides innovative and highly effective way of looking at the Primary Mathematics curriculum. It cashes in on the nature of maths, using CLIC as a chronological framework for securing basic skills and on the logical steps of progression that sit naturally in mathematical progression (Progress Drives).
Children acquire the basic skills of Mathematics through the chronology of CLIC. When we look at Core Numeracy in more detail we see that it has a 4 stage process to it;
Counting
Children learn to count and to ‘count on’.
Learn Its
Children then short-cut this counting by recalling their ‘counting on’ as facts.
It’s Nothing New
Children then ‘swap the thing’ to realise that the counting fact, or ‘Learn It’, can be applied to any object, amount or unit of measure.
Calculation
The previous 3 phases are combined to provide a calculation structure.
We call the rest of the mathematics curriculum ‘Outer Numeracy’. This gives us a ‘simple view’ of the primary Mathematics Curriculum. Basic skills (CLIC) need to be acquired before they are used in different contexts. When we zoom into Outer Numeracy we see four aspects but this time they are non-chronological. They are:
Real Life Maths: (think ‘word problems’) These are worded scenarios that ask children to solve problems that attempt to mimic real life. For example, ‘There are 20 pencils in a box. 50 children need 2 pencils each. How many boxes are needed?’All CLIC skills can be taken into real life context.
SAFE Maths: (think shape, measure, fractions and data) This refers to a large amount of primary mathematics curriculum content. Virtually all of SAFE Maths is underpinned by a Core Numeracy element.
Shape - 2D, 3D, Coordinates etc..
Amounts - Measures for distance, mass, angles etc.
Fractions - Fractions of amounts, percentages, ratio etc..
Explaining Data - Graphs, probability.
Multi-Methods: (think ‘Column Methods, Calculators and Cool Moves’) These refer to more efficient aspects of numeracy beyond the core. For example, one might teach children to add using near doubles, or to solve 405 – 198 by adding 2 to both numbers. This means the question is easily re-written as 407 – 200 and the gap between the two numbers becomes clearer. These methods also include Column Methods and solving calculations using a calculator.
Dangerous Maths: (think ‘number problems’) This means maths problems that take the child out of their immediate comfort zone and require more creative and analytical thinking. For example, ‘What is the highest square number under 1000?’ Dangerous Maths also includes algebra and number patterns. We just use the phrase ‘Dangerous Maths’ as teachers to remind us that children shouldn’t find this part of the maths curriculum easy.
Components of a typical mathematics lesson
Section of lesson | What it comprises | Content may include… |
Oral and Mental starter | Big Maths
| C – counting L – learn its I – It’s nothing new C – calculation Staff will be working on accurate steps of progression known as Progress Drives |
Main teaching activity | One or more of these: . Whole-class introduction to topic with some paired work .Follow up teaching to the whole class or a group .Group work – usually three groups at most .Individual practice .Key concepts recorded in mathematics books
| Based on objectives from the New National Curriculum 2014 for the appropriate year/s, one or more of: .Introducing new work .Extending or consolidating new previous work .Using and applying what has been learned .Assessing what has been taught .revising and further practice |
Spoken Language
The national curriculum for mathematics reflects the importance of spoken language in pupils’ development across the whole curriculum – cognitively, socially and linguistically. The quality and variety of language that pupils hear and speak are key factors in developing their mathematical vocabulary and presenting a mathematical justification, argument or proof. They must be assisted in making their thinking clear to themselves as well as others and teachers should ensure that pupils build secure foundations by using discussion to probe and remedy their misconceptions.
Homework
All children are expected to complete a piece of mathematics homework weekly which is carefully planned to support our children with knowing and remembering more.
In EYFS homework projects for Mathematics are sent out half termly, with activities parents can complete at home to support their children's learning that is taking place at school. Beacon also offers a parent workshop on how to support Maths at home in all age groups, where parents/carers have a discussion with the EY leader and receive a pack to support their child’s learning at home. Parents also spent time with their child completing some planned maths tasks to enhance their learning. Parents are also provided with a maths booklet which allows us to support parents in understanding the strategies used within school for teaching maths.
Please use the link below to view the Mathematics Policy:
Please find below a booklet on the ways we teach Maths in school from Early Years right up until Year 6. This will help you support your child completing their homework.
If you have any queries on how to support your child in Maths please speak to your child's class teacher.
Special Educational Needs
Please see the document on how Beacon ensure all children, including those with SEND and additional needs provide a curriculum which is tailored to all children.
How we support children with SEN
How we challenge more able pupils
Please see below a supportive document which shows how we teach addition, subtraction, multiplication and division across school from Reception to Year 6.
If you would like any advice on how to support your child's maths homework please speak to your child's maths teacher in the first instance or one of the Maths leaders Mrs Jassal (Year 2 Teacher) or Mrs Braitch (Year 6 teacher)
Maths Parent booklet
If you want further information about the curriculum content your child is covering please call the school office to arrange an appointment to see the subject leader.
Useful websites
