Maths
The 2014 National Curriculum for Maths aims to ensure that all children:
- Become fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics
- Are able to reason mathematically
- Can solve problems by applying their Mathematics
At Haimo, these skills are embedded within Maths lessons and developed over time.
To ensure consistency and progression in mathematics across the school, at Haimo we use ‘Power Maths’.
Power Maths is a DfE approved scheme that has been designed to support and challenge all pupils, and is built on the belief that EVERYONE can learn maths successfully.
A typical lesson between years 1 and 6 will follow these steps:
- Discover – each lesson begins with a problem to solve, often a real-life example, sometimes a puzzle or a game. These are engaging and fun, and designed to get all children thinking.
- Share – the class shares their ideas and compares different ways to solve the problem, explaining their reasoning with hands-on resources and drawings to make their ideas clear. Children are able to develop their understanding of the concept with input from the teacher.
- Think together – the next part of the lesson is a journey through the concept, digging deeper and deeper so that each child builds on secure foundations while being challenged to apply their understanding in different ways and with increasing independence.
- Practice – now children practice individually or in small groups, rehearsing and developing their skills to build fluency, understanding of the concept and confidence.
- Reflect – finally, children are prompted to reflect on and record their learning from each session and show how they have grasped the concept explored in the lesson.
Power Maths is based on a ‘small-steps’ mastery approach, meaning that the concepts are broken down into manageable chunks of learning. There are a range of fluency, reasoning and problem solving questions in each lesson that are designed to support the different needs and confidence levels within a class, while at the same time fostering a spirit of working and learning together. Each lesson includes a challenge question for those children who can delve deeper into a concept.
Please click here for a link to the Maths curriculum map.
Supporting your child at home with maths
We use maths in our everyday lives all the time, often without even thinking about it. From shopping, to decorating, to cooking and baking, to checking the time, to reading the bus timetable... The list is endless. By showing our children how we use maths skills in our everyday lives and making sure we involve them in this, we demonstrate to them the importance of developing maths skills for life.
Identifying problems and solving them can also help your child develop maths skills. If you see him or her puzzling over something, talk about the problem and try to work out the solution together.
Don’t shy away from maths if you didn’t like it at school. Try to find new ways to enjoy the subject with your child.
Tips for helping your child to enjoy maths:
- Point out the different shapes to be found around your home.
- Take your child shopping and talk about the quantities of anything you buy.
- Let your child handle money and work out how much things cost.
- Ask younger children to count all the coins in your purse or wallet.
- Look together for numbers on street signs and car registration plates.
- Look at house numbers and talk about odd and even.
- Ask older children to work out the best special offer.
- Look at clocks and tell the time. Talk about timings for cooking.
- Learn how to recall times tables quickly.
Click on the links below for more ideas on how to support your child to develop with maths at home. And don't forget to make it fun!