Maths

We are all mathematicians

The Aims of our Maths Curriculum

The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure 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

Curriculum documents

Maths at St Michael's Academy

Maths is taught for 1 hour a day at least 4 times a week. Lessons follow White Rose Hub small planning sequence, which covers the National Curriculum but are tailored for the needs of the class. Lessons begin with a starter to revisit prior learning, clarify misconceptions or elicit existing knowledge. Concepts are introduced by the teacher and children will work with Learning Partners or independently, to explore the concept before following modelled examples to apply their understanding of concepts. Modelling and lessons will use a range concrete, pictorial and abstract methods and resources to further enhance the children's conceptual understanding.

In addition to this, Early Bird Maths is taught at least 3 times a week to all year groups. Children revisit key arithmetic skills and methods as well as covering some problem solving and reasoning questions where appropriate.

At St Michael's we use the Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract method to support children's learning. The three strands are used by where appropriate and in conjunction with each other by the teacher to support learning. Practical elements are used throughout lessons to allow children to explore the concept and the conceptual knowledge they are exploring. Examples of this include dienes, place value counters and

Concrete

Concrete is the “doing” stage, using concrete objects to model problems. Instead of the traditional method of maths teaching, where a teacher demonstrates how to solve a problem, the CPA approach brings the concepts to life by allowing the children to experience and handle physical objects themselves. Where appropriate, every new abstract concept is learned first with a “concrete” or physical experience.

Pictorial

Pictorial is the “seeing” stage, using representations of the objects to model problems. This stage encourages children to make a mental connection between the physical object and abstract levels of understanding by drawing or looking at pictures, circles, diagrams or models which represent the objects in a problem.

Building or drawing a model makes it easier for children to grasp concepts they traditionally find more difficult, such as fractions, as it helps them visualise the problem and make it more accessible to all.

Abstract

Abstract is the “symbolic” stage, where children are able to use abstract symbols within their mathematical work. This can occur after or alongside the other two stages and is an indication that conceptual knowledge is secure in the learner. Abstract knowledge is often represented by numerals but not exclusively.

Examples of maths at St Michael's

Pupil voice

We feel it is important that we listen to the feedback of children at St Michael’s and they are very positive about their maths lessons.

“I love working with the resources because I used to find maths hard, but now I can do it. I actually understand!”

“I like it when my teacher gives me tricky sums because I can show off and use expanded form.”

“I didn’t really like Maths when I started SMA but now I love it because I can jot my ideas on the table and if I get it wrong, I just rub it off and start again using dienes.”

Maths websites

Links to maths websites

Below are some links to websites that you may like to try with your children:

BBC Bitesize - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/primary/ This link will take you to Bitesize homepage. From here click on the correct key stage and it will lead you to some great maths resources linked to what your child has been learning.

Maths Zone – mathszone.co.uk - A great website full of games, mainly for KS2.

Super Maths World – http://supermathsworld.com/ Great games for KS2. Children can log in as a guest or create an account.

Cool Maths – https://www.coolmathgames.com/ Another website full of interactive games.

Crik Web – http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ Great free games

Count On – http://counton.org/ Full of maths games, activities and further links.

NRICH – https://nrich.maths.org/primary Challenging maths games and activities

Times Tables Rockstars - https://ttrockstars.com/ - Interactive multiplication resource used to improve times table recall.