MATHEMATICS IN DUNSTALL HILL

TEACHING MATHEMATICS IN SCHOOL

The basic skills of mathematics are vital for the life opportunities of our children. Our aim is for all children to think mathematically, enabling them to reason and solve problems effectively- experiencing a sense of awe and wonder as they solve a problem for the first time, discover different solutions and make links between different areas of mathematics.

To become competent with and to gain a deep understanding of new mathematical concepts, we follow a concrete-pictorial-abstract approach:

Concrete

Children have opportunities to use concrete (practical) objects and manipulatives to help them understand what they are doing.

Pictorial

Alongside the concrete, children use pictorial representations (where they are exposed to a range of representations to help draw out mathematical structures). These representations then help children to reason and problem solve.

Abstract

Both concrete and pictorial representations support children’s understanding of abstract methods.

This approach contributes to children’s conceptual understanding and conceptual understanding supports retention, which is our ultimate goal.

Wherever possible, we try to make links to Maths across the curriculum, providing children with opportunities to consolidate and enhance their maths skills. Applying and developing skills across the curriculum allow children to become more confident at tackling maths in any context, particularly real life situations.

How can you support your child?

We follow our school’s ‘Calculation Policy’ when teaching calculation (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and ‘Fractions and Decimals Policy’ when teaching fractions, decimals and percentages. To support us with this, when completing any homework with your child please follow the same methods as we are teaching in school to avoid any confusion. Please see below for our written and virtual calculation policies.

WHY IS MATHS IMPORTANT TO OUR CHILDREN?

Liam – Year 2

“My favourite part of maths is using my jottings to solve questions on the four operations, particularly times tables. I look forward to 99 club each week!”

Afiya – Year 4

“Fractions are the best – I love using numicon to help me understand!”

Zinneerah – Year 5

“Maths is important, challenging and fun. It’s everywhere!”

Hussein – Year 4

“I enjoy maths because we are challenged. I like to think deeper about a problem and think of different ways to answer a question!”

HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD WITH MATHEMATICS

Support for Early Years parents

The following extracts have been taken from our school Pre-Calculation Policy for Early Years Children.

Please select the relevent year group for your child to view resources which will help you support them:

NURSERY
RECEPTION

Support for Key Stage One and Two parents

The following extracts have been taken from our school’s Calculation Policy and Fractions and Decimals Policy for Key Stage One and Two children

Please select the relevant year group for your child to view resources which will help you support them:

CHECK OUT OUR NEW VIRTUAL FRACTIONS POLICY – SEE BELOW! 

YEAR 4 MULTIPLICATION TABLES CHECK (MTC)

In June each year, pupils in Year 4 will sit the multiplication tables check (MTC). The MTC is an online test for pupils in Year 4. Pupils are asked to answer 25 questions on times tables from two to twelve either on an ipad or a laptop. Pupils are given six seconds per question, with three seconds rest between each question, so the test should last less than five minutes. The MTC will establish which pupils’ times tables knowledge is at the expected level and will also help identify which pupils are struggling with their times tables so that they can get extra support.

Questions about the six, seven, eight, nine, and twelve times tables are likely to come up most often and as these are the hardest for most children to learn, it is a good idea to focus on learning these tricky times tables with your child. 

“Leaving primary school with a fundamental grasp of basic numeracy is as important as leaving being able to read. And just as the phonics check has helped more children learn to read, this will ensure more pupils know their times tables.”

Nick Gibb, schools minister.

Please click on the link below for more information:

Government Information for Parents – MTC

NUMBER DAY 2024

On Friday 2nd February, pupils across school celebrated the magic of mathematics through a range of activities linking to a specific number. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Celebrating mathematics does wonders for children’s confidence in the subject; it helps to show them that numbers and patterns are everywhere, from the smallest snowflake to the greatest constellation.

Each year group focused on an individual number and completed a range of activities linking to their number. These activities ranged from number hunts in ‘The Den’ in Nursery and making the number 6 in Reception linking to the characters in Ten Town to creating ‘Number raps’ in Year 2 and making shapes with an area of 20 using Numicon in Year 4. What a wonderful day celebrating how amazing numbers are!

KEY MATHEMATICS DOCUMENTS

VIRTUAL CALCULATION POLICY KS1 & KS2

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VIRTUAL FRACTION AND DECIMAL POLICY KS1 & KS2

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MATHEMATICS POLICY

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MATHEMATICS LONG TERM PLAN

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CALCULATION POLICY

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EARLY YEARS PRE-CALCULATION POLICY

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SATS ASSESSMENTS

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CULTURAL CAPITAL

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