Welcome to Maths
Here at Catshill First School and Nursery we realise the importance of Maths as a life skill and we work to create confident, resilient and inquisitive mathematicians. Beginning from their early years in EYFS Children are provided with frequent and varied opportunities to build and apply their mathematical understanding – such as using manipulatives that help to develop a secure bank of knowledge and vocabulary from which mastery of mathematics is built. Progressing into the National Curriculum we provide all of our children with opportunity to;
- Be fluent and confident in the recall and use of the basics of mathematics, this includes the learning and embedding of times tables, number bonds, number facts and their relationships
- Solve problems by independently applying their basic skills, including how to break down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.
- Chance to both talk and think mathematically – with focuses on reasoning, explaining, convincing, justifying and proving their ideas and understanding.
To enable pupils to do this we deliver carefully planned, exciting and engaging daily maths sessions developing Maths Mastery. We teach pupils in whole class interactive teaching, giving the same lesson at the same time to all children in Years 1 to 4. In Reception maths is taught through the Mastering program and continuous provision.
What is Maths Mastery?
Mastering maths means pupils acquiring a deep, long-term secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. This is done through four specific areas.
Mathematical thinking
Children should develop the ability to build upon something they have already learnt and to reason about a concept and make connections.
Fluency
Children need to be fluent in number facts and times tables, which are key to success in maths.
Variation
Seeing things in different and unfamiliar ways, but being able to apply their previous learning. Again reiterating the ability to make connections.
Representation and structure
As we work through the mastery curriculum, we make use of different representations of structures. Children need to hold the maths in their hands before they can hold it in their heads. To this end we make use of a variety of concrete resources such as place value counters and bead strips. Interwoven with this, children will develop their use of pictorial representations where they will draw the maths to help embed their understanding. The use of the abstract is also developed, allowing for the writing of more formal representations such as column addition and subtraction.
Running along all of these areas is the need to make connections constantly between new learning and that which has already been taught. This develops a deep and secure understanding of maths, or maths mastery.
We follow the White Rose calculation policy that sets out the way children should solve all four calculations and this policy shows the progression throughout school. We also run parent workshops on maths every year to share the methods and advise you o how to best support your child at home. If you have any queries regarding the teaching of maths at Catshill First School and Nursery, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or myself Sam Stacey, as maths lead on sjs148@catshillfirst.worcs.sch.uk or via epraise.
MATHS Calculations Policy for Addition and Subtraction
MATHS Calculations Policy for Multiplication and Division
Further to that we hope that our website will provide you with ideas, resources and websites links to help you support your child at home. Here you will find our Maths Subject Rationale which details our aims, how Maths is taught and monitored.
Sam Stacey Maths Lead and LLME for GLOWhub
Calculations
At Catshill First School and Nursery we follow the White Rose Maths long term and medium term planning to support us in our teaching for mastery. We have also adopted the White Rose calculation policy which gives guidance on the models and images (equipment and visuals) that can develop and support the teaching of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Their policy explains the benefits of each model and shows the links between different operations. Staff use the policy to guide their teaching and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about either our planning, or how we use White Rose to support us in school.
Times Tables
The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will help schools to identify pupils who have not yet mastered their times tables, so that additional support can be provided.
Schools will have a 3-week check window in June to administer the MTC. Teachers will have the flexibility to administer the check to individual pupils, small groups or a whole class at the same time.
If you have any queries about the MTC please speak to your child’s teacher or to Mrs Stacey. You can support your child with the MTC by rehearsing their times tables with them at home as often as possible and by using Times Tables Rockstars.
It is important children are fluent in their times tables at regular milestones in their education. The expectations are that children in:
Year 2 know their 2,5 and 10 times tables
Year 3 know their 2,3,4,5, 8 and 10 times tables
Year 4 know all their times tables up to 12×12
We use Times Tables Rockstars with Year 2 up to Year 4. Click below to go straight to the web page and rock along while learning your tables.
Useful Websites
Times Tables Rockstars
https://ttrockstars.com/login
Maths games
https://www.brain-games.co.uk/Math+Games
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/kids-activities/fun-maths-games-and-activities/
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/counting
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/category/22/most-popular