Maths

Reception (Early Years Foundation Stage) and Key Stage 1 Maths

For our infant children, we teach Maths following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1.

In the Early Years curriculum, Maths is divided into:

Number and Numerical Patterns

In Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2), the curriculum is divided into different areas:

Number - number and place value

Number - addition and subtraction

Number - multiplication and division

Number - Fractions

Measurement

Geometry - properties of shapes

Geometry - position and direction

Statistics

Underpinning these areas are the aims to ensure all children:

become fluent in the fundamentals of maths
reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry
can solve problems by applying their maths to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication.

At the centre of the curriculum is a mastery approach to the teaching of mathematics. It is the belief that all children have the potential to succeed. They should have access to the same curriculum content and rather than being extended with new learning, they should deepen their conceptual understanding by tackling challenging and varied problems. Similarly, with calculation strategies, children must not simply rote learn procedures but demonstrate their understanding of these procedures through the use of concrete materials and pictorial representations.

Key Stage 2 Maths

For our junior children, (Years 3-6) we teach maths through a variety of strands of knowledge from within the National Curriculum for Key Stage 2.

They are:

Number – Place Value

Number – Addition and Subtraction

Number – Multiplication and Division

Number – Fractions (including decimals and percentages)

Measurement

Geometry – Properties of Shape

Geometry – Position and Direction

Statistics

Ratio and Proportion (Year 6)

Algebra (Year 6)

We aim for the children to become increasingly fluent with whole numbers and the four operations, including times tables and the concept of place value. This should then ensure that the children can perform calculations accurately and that they should develop efficient written and mental methods. Through a range of reasoning and problem solving activities, children should then experience solving puzzles which include simple fractions and decimal place value. Teaching will enable children to analyse shapes and their properties, and confidently describe a range of properties. It should ensure that they can use measuring instruments with accuracy and make connections between measure and number. With this foundation in arithmetic, children are introduced to the language of algebra as they go through Key Stage 2, as a means for solving a variety of problems. Teaching in geometry and measures should consolidate and extend knowledge developed in number. Through games, ICT activities, sorting and solving problems, children then classify shapes with increasingly complex geometric properties and learn the vocabulary they need to describe them.

Our National Curriculum mathematics teaching and learning is supported by White Rose Maths, who produce yearly frameworks and ‘small steps’ progression from the Early Years Foundation Stage through to Y6. The plans explain each maths topic, what your child is expected to learn and when they will learn it.

The links below show how we teach maths skills to your child, from the Early Years Foundation Stage though to Year 6.

Click here for Early Years (Reception)

Click here for Y1-Y6: Addition & Subtraction

Click here for Y1-Y6: Multiplication & Division

Multiplication Tables

Alongside our classroom teaching, we use 'Times Table Rock Stars' which is a fun and challenging programme designed to help the children master their times tables! Everyone in Year 2-Year 6 has a username and password, so it can be used at school and at home. They also have a useful parent section on their website available here

What can you do to help your child practise their times tables?

We would recommend a number of strategies to support your child in the learning of their times tables facts up to 12 x 12 – not just for the test. These can include:

Getting your child to play Times Tables Rock Star 5 times a week – especially 'soundcheck'.

Times tables chanting: “6, 12, 18, 24…”

Times tables chanting in reverse order: “108, 99, 90, 81…”

Using times tables songs, like Schoolhouse Rock’s ‘3 is A Magic Number’

Using apps, like the one by ks2timestables.co.uk, or Hit the Button or type in ‘times tables games free online.’

Using free maths online games, like those on Maths Frame

Asking your child multiplication calculations out of order, like: “What is 4 x 7? What is 9 x 5? What is 6 x 11?”

Using pasta pieces or pebbles to show groups of numbers representing times tables, e.g. four groups of three pasta shells to show 3 x 4 = 12 (see below:

Asking your child word problems based on times tables, such as: “If five friends have £3 each, how much money do they have in total?”

When you notice that your child is stumbling over the same fact each time, try to give them extra practise. You could even make some question and answer cards for them to match, write questions on paper and stick them on doors around the house, practise in the car on the way to school or while you are waiting in a queue.

One of our favourite tricks involves using your child's fingers to figure out the nine times tables. Start by spreading all 10 fingers in front of them. To find out 9×1, put your left little finger down. What are you left with? 9 fingers! For 9×2 put your left ring-finger down. What are you left with? 1 finger and a gap followed by 8 fingers or 18. This trick works up to 9×9 (8 and 1 or 81).

Below are a list of useful websites to help your child with Maths:

Year 4 Statutory Multiplication Tables Check

The Year 4 multiplication tables check is a statutory requirement. Your child will take a short online test to make sure their times tables knowledge is at the expected level. Please click on the 'multiplication tables check' link above - this will take you to the Government's guidance page, which contains all the information regarding the test.

See below for our quick guide to the test and ideas on how to help your child:

2020 x test for parents y4.pdf

Further ways to help your child with Maths at home:

One Minute Maths - download this free Maths app (Reception and Year 1)
www.topmarks.co.uk
www.ictgames.co.uk
BBC Bitesize (Maths for Year 1 - Year 2)
TT Rockstars (Times Tables games and activities for Year 2- Year 6)
Spot numbers and patterns in the environment around you e.g. numbers on front doors, patterns in nature.
Sort objects and make patterns so you can say how many there are without counting (known as 'subitising').
Play dice games and dominoes.
Sing Maths songs and rhymes e.g. 10 green bottles, 5 fat sausages.
Practice telling the time with your child.
Play shopkeeper- gather together items from around your home and lay them out on a table. Price each item and take turns being shopkeeper using coins and notes.