Maths
Mathematics is a beautiful subject which has its own place in the curriculum of Whyteleafe School. Pupils can experience a sense of awe and wonder as they solve a problem for the first time, discover a more elegant solution and make links between different areas of mathematics.
Tiny coherent steps will be made in each lesson to develop a secure understanding. The small steps that were learnt in the previous lesson will be reviewed before moving on. Learning objectives are tight and reflect the new learning taking place in the lesson. By breaking down concepts into tiny steps, children are more likely to be secure and confident. By grouping key concepts and patterns they will be able to make connections to other areas of maths and apply their skills to a range of problems.
Questions will be planned carefully to ensure all children can access the learning and that their knowledge is deepening. All children will be expected to understand and use accurate mathematical vocabulary when explaining their mathematical thinking. They will be expected to speak in full sentences when sharing an answer. Relevant maths vocabulary will be displayed in the classroom, on slides and in books throughout all lessons in order to support their oracy.
When new learning is introduced, ideas and activities regularly move from teacher to children and back again. Planned mini plenaries will take place during independent tasks through questioning. The teacher will move around the room, checking the understanding of all pupils throughout the lesson allowing for instant feedback and formative assessment.
Children will be supported to make connections, notice patterns and structures and, from these, form and apply generalisations.
As a school, we put a high importance on improving the children's number and times table facts. By the end of Year 1, all children will know number bonds within 20. By the end of Year 4, all children will know their times tables to 12 x 12. They will be able to apply these facts confidently during maths lessons. If children are secure with number facts, they will be able to focus on the concept/method/pattern rather than the number facts needed to know the answer.
By the end of Year 6, a Whyteleafe child will be fluent in their times tables to 12 x 12. They will be able to reason about mathematics verbally and in written form using precise vocabulary. Children will spot patterns and make connections between different areas of mathematics whilst applying this understanding to problem solving situations.
Resources:
Introduction
Times tables (as well as addition, subtraction and division facts) are the building blocks for many more complicated calculations. If children are secure with these facts, they will not have to over complicate calculations by having to work out the number facts within them. Times Tables Rock Stars is supported by web and mobile apps and promotes the learning of times table facts. We introduce TTRS in Year 3 and it runs through to the end of Year 6.
Goal
When it comes to times tables, speed AND accuracy are important. Times Table Rock Stars is a fun 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!
Logging in to Times Tables Rock Stars
- Click on: play.ttrockstars.com (or type it into your browser’s address bar).
- Click Login! > School > Student
- Enter the School Name.
- Enter your child’s username and password.
Times Tables Rock Stars App
The Times Tables Rock Stars App is available at the Apple Store and on Google Play Store. This allows children to use Times Tables Rock Stars on mobile devices and tablets.
The app is free to download but your child will need to enter their login details to play.
Introduction
We’re using this super online resource to support our children’s maths education in EYFS and Key Stage 1. The creators of Times Tables Rock Stars have produced a platform for boosting addition and subtraction skills, called NumBots.
NumBots is an online game and playing little and often will significantly improve your child’s recall and understanding of number bonds and addition and subtraction facts. These are critical foundations in maths so we are excited by the impact NumBots will have.
Logging In
The children have brought home a username label in their reading record. They might need some help navigating to the website (https://play.numbots.com) and entering the details but once they’re in, they just need some quiet space to get on with the games for 5 minutes.
Please ask your child’s teacher if they are struggling to login. Maths Circle (the creators of NumBots) cannot provide username and password information to parents, even during school holidays or out of hours.
Important
Please don’t allow siblings, friends or family to answer for them but do support your child if they’re stuck.
Little and often
In order to get the best out of NumBots children should regularly play for short bursts so we would ask you to give them 5 minutes each day.
Game Types
- Story Mode – the emphasis is on learning the ideas and concepts behind addition and subtraction so it features more diagrams, shapes and question styles.
- Challenge Mode – the emphasis is more on speed of recall of key facts, like number bonds to 10, doubling small numbers or adding & taking away in your head.
Numbots App
The Numbots App is available at the Apple Store and on Google Play Store. This allows children to use Numbots on mobile devices and tablets.
The app is free to download but your child will need to enter their login details to play.
Other websites:
Topmarks
This site has some fun interactive games to help your child practise their times tables. ‘Hit the Button’ is a particular favourite.
CBeebies - Numberblocks
Numberblocks is a pre-school BBC television series aimed at introducing children to early number. Snappy animation and loveable characters combine with engaging storylines to gently introduce concepts of number to support early mathematical understanding.
www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/numberblocks
NRICH Maths
NRICH provides thousands of free online mathematics resources for ages 3 to 18, covering all stages of early years, primary and secondary school education. NRICH’s activities focus on developing problem solving.
Math Sphere
Two maths dictionaries; the first a general school dictionary. The second, a detailed maths dictionary explaining the more complex vocabulary.
Maths is Fun
A maths dictionary, games and puzzles.
Documents
| Page Downloads |
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| 2023 Multiplication tables check |
| Aiming to be Inclusive Maths |
| Key Stage One Maths Worshop |
