Woodthorpe Church of England Primary School
Learning & Growing Together To Be The Best We Can Be
Mathematics
At Woodthorpe, we aim to provide our children with a wide mathematical education taught in an enjoyable, relevant and creative way. We use ‘real life’ experiences so children begin to understand the importance of applying Maths skills in order to solve problems and engage them for future learning. Maths is taught daily and children move through the Key Stages building on existing skills and developing their knowledge and understanding. Pupils explore all four number operations and are encouraged to try different strategies that best suit their learning. Pupils explore shape and space and develop their measuring skills in a range of contexts. They are given lots of opportunities to discuss their methods and encouraged to use the appropriate mathematical vocabulary.
Intent
At Woodthorpe, the intent of our mathematics curriculum is to provide children with a foundation for understanding number, reasoning, thinking logically and problem solving with resilience so that they are fully prepared for the future. It is essential that these keystones of Mathematics are embedded throughout all strands of the National Curriculum. By adopting a Mastery approach, it is also intended that all children, regardless of their starting point, will maximise their academic achievement and leave Woodthorpe Primary School with an appreciation and enthusiasm for Maths, resulting in a lifelong positive relationship with number.
As part of the mastery approach a positive teacher mind-set and strong subject knowledge are key to student success in Mathematics. It is not the case that some pupils can do Mathematics and others cannot. No pupil should be left behind. The focus is keeping up over catching up. By making high expectations clear and emphasising the value of Mathematics education, pupils are encouraged to build confidence and resilience. Abilities are neither fixed nor innate, but can be developed through practice, support, dedication and hard work.
Woodthorpe C of E Primary Maths Intent, implementation and impact
Here, at Woodthorpe, we have recently introduced 'Power Maths', which develops the teaching of mathematics for mastery. Power Maths is a UK curriculum mastery programme designed to spark curiosity and excitement and nurture confidence in Mathematics. It is written specifically for UK curriculum classrooms by leading mastery experts from around the world and recommended by the UK’s Department for Education.
Power Maths is an enriched approach that cleverly combines interactive teaching tools, rich and quality textbooks and practice books.
There is a strong emphasis on whole-class (Year group) interactive teaching, where the focus is on all pupils working together on the same lesson content at the same time. This ensures that all can master concepts before moving on to the next part of the curriculum sequence, allowing no pupil to be left behind.
Maths is taught through a daily Numeracy lesson which follows the principles of the Primary Numeracy Curriculum. Lesson design identifies the new mathematics that is to be taught, the key points, the difficult points and a carefully sequenced journey through the learning. Significant time is spent developing deep knowledge of the key ideas that are needed to underpin future learning. The structure and connections within the mathematics are emphasised, so that pupils develop deep learning that can be sustained.
We want our children to know and understand mathematical concepts, skills, facts, relationships and strategies and be able to apply and communicate these in a confident way.
In the Foundation Stage, teaching follows the Early Learning Goals of the Foundation Curriculum. In KS1 and KS2, mathematics is taught every day and we teach basic numeracy skills alongside problem-solving using White Rose Maths. Teachers use practical equipment, visual images, computer programmes and drawings as much as possible to enable children to visualise the mathematics they are doing. We teach a wide variety of mental and written strategies, eventually encouraging children to independently determine the best strategy to solve problems. Children use mathematics in a range of other lessons and are encouraged to use their growing knowledge at all times.
Power Maths Vocabulary-
Click on the following document to access the progression of vocabulary in Maths at our school following the Power Maths curriculum.
Check them out here:
Year 1 Mathematical Vocabulary
Year 2 Mathematical Vocabulary
Year 3 Mathematical Vocabulary
Year 4 Mathematical Vocabulary
Year 5 Mathematical Vocabulary
Year 6 Mathematical Vocabulary
Power Maths Overview.
For further support, please download this leaflet on Mastery Maths.
Below are our long term plans for Maths by year group:
Times Table Rockstars
Times Table Rock Stars is a fun and challenging programme designed to help students master the times tables! To be a Times Table Rock Star you need to answer any multiplication fact up to 12×12 in less than 3 seconds! Each child will be given a Rock Speed and Status based on how quickly they can answer questions and how many they can answer correctly. The goal is for all participating rockers to be a Times Tables Rock Star after 20 weeks!
Each week, Year 2-6 children will be awarded certificates and recognition for their achievements within the classroom and Celebration Assemblies.
Reception to Year 1 children can access Numbots, an interactive number bonds game.
The Rock Speeds and Statuses
By answering a question in the given times below, these are the statuses you can achieve!
Rock Hero – 1 second per question or less
Rock Legend – 2 seconds per question or less
Rock Star – 3 seconds per question or less
Headliner – 4 seconds per question or less
Support Act – 5 seconds per question or less
Breakthrough Artist – 6 seconds per question or less
Unsigned Act – 7 seconds per question or less
Gigger – 8 seconds per question or less
Busker – 9 seconds per question or less
Garage Rocker – 10 seconds per question or less
Wannabe – more than 10 seconds per question
Game Types
There are 5 games that you can play online:
Garage
– Single player
– Teacher sets the times tables
– Games are 1, 2 or 3 minutes long, you can choose!
– 10 coins per correct answer
Studio
– Lots of questions – 12×12
– Improve your Rock Speed and Status on this game!
– Games are 1 minute long
– 1 coin per correct answer
Arena
– Multiplayer
– Teacher sets the times tables
– Compete against your friends in the class
– Games are 1 minute long
– Earn 1 coin per correct answer
Festival
– Play against children from around the world!
– Lots of questions – 12×12
– Games are 1 minute long
– Earn 1 coin per correct answer
Soundcheck
– Emulator – 20 questions with a 6 second time limit for each
– Multiplication only
– Earn 5 coins per correct answer
Remember, the more you play and the more questions you get correct, the more coins you can earn for your Avatar! Can you master your Times Tables and become a Rock Star?
More to come soon! Keep checking for updates on competitions and leader boards!
You can download a free app for I pads from the Apple Store.
Have Fun!
Mathematics Key Instant Recall Facts
To develop your child’s fluency and mental maths skills, we are introducing Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRF) throughout school. These are a way of helping your child to learn by heart, key facts and information which they need to have instant recall of. They are designed to support the development of mental maths skills that underpin much of the maths work in our school. They are particularly useful when calculating, adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing. They contain number facts such as number bonds and times tables that need constant practise and rehearsal, so children can recall them quickly and accurately. Instant recall of facts helps enormously with mental agility in maths lessons. When children move onto written calculations, knowing these key facts is very beneficial. For your child to become more efficient in recalling them easily, they need to be practised frequently and for short periods of time.
Each half term, children will focus on a Key Instant Recall Fact to practise and learn at home for the half term. They will also be available on our school website under the maths section and each child will receive a copy to keep at home. We will also have a permanent ‘Maths Mastery’ display in our corridor. These recall facts include practical ideas to assist your child in grasping the key facts and contain helpful suggestions of ways in which you could make this learning interesting and relevant. They are not designed to be a time- consuming task and can be practised anywhere – in the car, walking to school, etc. Regular practice - little and often – helps children to retain these facts and keep their skills sharp.
Throughout the half term, the recall facts will also be practised in school and your child’s teacher will assess whether they have been retained. Over their time at primary school, we believe that - if the recall facts are developed fully - children will be more confident with number work, understand its relevance, and be able to access the curriculum much more easily. They will be able to apply what they have learnt to a wide range of problems that confront us regularly.
Find your child's recall facts here:
What do we know about careers in Mathematics?
Learning in mathematics helps children develop skills in logical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making as well as pure mathematical skills. These skills are valued by employers across many job sectors, including:
- Actuary scientist
- Chartered accountant
- Chartered certified accountant
- Data analyst
- Investment analyst
- Research scientist
- Secondary school teacher
- Statistician
- Systems developer
- Financial manager
- Financial trader
- Insurance underwriter
- Meteorologist
- Operational researcher
- Quantity surveyor
- Software tester
Mathematics in the wider curriculum.
Through our enrichment plan we include enterprise projects to encourage an understanding of money in the real world. Children will be responsible for budgeting and pricing products or services to sell at school fund raising events.
The Cornerstones curriculum has mathematics woven through it within the science, geography and PHSE elements where children can demonstrate an application of the maths they have been taught within maths lessons.
If you want to help and support your child at home with their Maths, please use the helpful hint sheets below.
Some Useful Links:
BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z826n39
The Curriculum explained, for parents: https://www.theschoolrun.com/what-your-child-learns-key-stage-2-maths
Maths Frame: https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/category/22/most-popular
