Miss Jane
Maths Lead
Intent - Why are we teaching this?
At Grampound with Creed, we strive to ensure every child sees themselves as competent mathematician who demonstrates a positive attitude towards tackling problems both in and out of the classroom. We aim to ensure all pupils develop a secure understanding of mathematical concepts as they progress through the school by applying a mastery approaching to our teaching and learning which enables pupils to develop the three fundamental aspects of high-quality maths; fluency, reasoning and application.
We want our pupils to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately. Our aim is to ensure that pupils develop the ability to reason and apply mathematical language to develop justifications for their arguments. Every child is taught to solve problems with increasing confidence so they can apply their mathematical knowledge and understanding, persevering when needed and being autonomous in their problem solving.
Impact - what is the effect?
By the time our pupils leave Key Stage Two, we aim for every pupil to be fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics with a conceptual understanding and an ability to recall key information rapidly and accurately. Children should have the skills to solve problems by applying mathematical knowledge to a variety of situations with increasing complexity – including unfamiliar contexts to model real-life situations. Children will be able to follow a mathematical line of enquiry to reason and justify their arguments using proof and appropriate mathematical language.
Teachers use ongoing summative assessment at the end of each unit and children’s progress and attainment are discussed by teachers and maths lead in pupil progress meetings. Formative assessment takes place on a daily basis and 'flashback 4' questions whereby children to review prior learning every lesson allow teachers to assess and meet the needs of pupils to address misconceptions and inform interventions. In addition, a strong emphasis is placed on problem solving and reasoning questions which enable classes to explore topics together as a class as well as verbally develop these key skills during lessons. The quality of teaching and learning in maths is monitoring rigorously and pupils in need of extra support with their learning, receive high-quality interventions. Leaders monitor the effectiveness of teaching frequently through lesson observations, the scrutiny of books and through discussion with pupils. Moderations, with other leaders across the Trust, take place at various times throughout the year to ensure teacher judgements are consistent and accurate.
Useful website for supporting your child's maths learning at home
A website full of 'rich' mathematical challenges.
This website is excellent as children can practise skills required in each year group. Children can have a free five minutes practise every day on a laptop/computer- if you want more you need to subscribe or swap laptop!- but a little and often is good.
Thousands of quality teaching resources, interactive resources, homework, exam and revision help. Useful for teachers, pupils and parents.
This is an interactive maths game with quick fire questions on number bonds, times tables, doubling and halving, multiples, division facts and square numbers. The games which are against the clock challenge and develop a child's mental maths skills.
Make maths learning fun and effective with Prodigy Math Game. Free for students, parents and educators. Sign up today!
Maths Frame has more than 200 interactive maths games and 300 maths worksheets and assessments linked to the new curriculum. All resources are designed by an experienced KS2 teacher. New games and worksheets are added regularly.
A fantastic and engaging way to practise key times tables skills to improve rapid recall.
A brilliant website which helps children to use efficient mental calculation strategies to add and subtract two-digit numbers so that they can leave counting on their fingers behind!
The Year 4 Multiplication Check
Did you know that from June 2020, the Government announced a new test for Year 4 children called the “Multiplication Tables Check”.
By the time each pupil reaches the end of year 4, pupils are expected to fluently recall their times tables up to 12 x 12 in recognition that speedy times tables recall can have a huge impact on further application of mathematical skills.
The check itself is carried out online using a computer or tablet and pupils can complete the test either one at a time, in groups or as a whole class. The test takes no longer than 5 minutes and requires pupils to answer 25 questions with 6 seconds to answer each question.
Practising times tables on a little and often basis at home is fundamental. Some simple and quick ways parents can support with pupil's quick times tables recall include:
· asking questions such as “what’s 7 x 8?”
· reciting times tables by rote (4 times 1 is 4, 4 times 2 is 8, etc)
· using apps and games to improve rapid recall
· singing times tables songs (there are loads online)
If you require any support with practicing these calculations at home, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher. For further information about these tests please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/multiplication-tables-check