Numeracy

Numeracy is a major focus at Gospel Oak this year, and there are lots of exciting things happening. As with Literacy, there have been many changes to the Numeracy curriculum over the last year. As part of the Primary Strategy, the Renewed Numeracy Framework was introduced and adopted by the school in September 2007 and is now firmly embedded in our everyday practice. We also have a number of new initiatives starting this year.

What is the Renewed Numeracy Framework?

The Renewed Framework aims to build on previous developments in mathematics and to refocus the drive to raise standards for all children. It is based around the seven strands of numeracy:

Using and applying mathematics

Counting and understanding number
Knowing and using number facts
Calculating
Understanding shape
Measuring
Handling data
Numeracy lessons

We aim to make our lessons as exciting and interactive as possible. Lessons usually begin with a short oral session designed to get children thinking mathematically. These starters are short and pacy, with an emphasis on mental calculation and recall. The main part of the lesson is divided between teacher-led learning, group work and individual work, with review sessions to check the children’s understanding. Most lessons involve a strand of Numeracy called ‘Using and Applying’, which was identified in the Renewed Framework as being of high importance. This means that children are asked to solve problems, follow a line of enquiry, test their ideas and communicate their findings.

Displays

As Numeracy is a whole-school focus this year, we decided to have a maths theme for our first corridor displays. Children from Nursery to Year 6 worked incredibly hard to create these fantastic displays, which can now be seen around the school. They were so good that many teachers took their children on a tour of the school so they could really appreciate them. There are some photos below, but please have a look at them next time you are in school.

Times tables competition

Children who learn their times tables off by heart are at a great advantage in Numeracy lessons, as this knowledge comes in useful in many different areas of maths. For the last few years we have held a times tables competition with certificates and a prize for the winning class. This competition has become very high-tech this year as the test is now an interactive computer programme. There will be three different tests:

2, 5 and 10 times tables for Key Stage 1.
2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 times tables for Years 3 and 4.
All tables up to 10 times for Years 5 and 6.

Of course, some younger children may choose to take the higher level test if they have worked really hard and learned all their tables. Please encourage your child to practise at home.

Ocean Maths

Another exciting development is the introduction of the Ocean Maths project. You may have already taken part in a workshop in school, or seen the homework that your child has brought home. The project was developed by a team working in the Ocean Estate in Tower Hamlets, and has now expanded to involve many London schools. It is based around the importance of parental involvement in a child’s mathematical learning, and has had a very positive impact in all the schools where it has taken place. Workshops take place once a term for each year group, and parents are encouraged to come in and play maths games with their child. The homework sheets also include a game to play at home, and are proving to be very popular with the children!

RM Maths

RM Maths is a computer programme designed to give pupils 15 minutes of individualised Maths support a day, exactly matched to their ability, with focus on core skills and Mental Maths. At the moment 45 targeted year 1 & 2 children do a regular session every lunchtime. Also, in the morning (before school starts) some children from Year 5 attend sessions. However, from mid-November we are intending to offer the morning sessions as an opportunity for parents to come in with their child and work through the programme together, supported by a teaching assistant. More information about this initiative will be available soon. Click here if you want to see an interactive demo of RM Maths. (Adobe Flash required).

Fantasy Football League

One very popular initiative has been our involvement in a nationwide Fantasy Football League. Entrants are given a budget of £70m to spend on a team of Premiership players in an effort to become the top manager. In addition to a whole school league, there are also separate leagues for children, year groups, teachers and parents, as well as regional and national leagues. There will be medals and trophies at the end of the season for the teams with the most points, as well as a booby prize for the worst staff team… Tickets are still available of you would like to join in!

What can I do to help my child at home?

The more opportunities that children have to practise maths, the easier it becomes. These opportunities could come about through homework, when demonstrating to you what they have learned in class or even during ordinary everyday situations.

Children are encouraged to work mentally, using jottings to support their thinking. Talk to your child about how you work things out, and ask them to explain their thinking to you.

When faced with a calculation problem, encourage your child to ask themselves:

Can I do it in my head?
Do I need to use jottings or drawings to help me?
Do I need a written method?
Can I estimate and check my answer?

Younger children should practise counting as often as possible. Here are some ideas for counting games:

Chant the number names, encouraging your child to join in when they feel confident.
Sing number rhymes together.
Give them the opportunity to count a range of interesting objects (coins, pasta shapes etc), encouraging them to touch and move each item as they count it.
Then ask them to count things they cannot touch or see (more difficult!) such as claps or jumps.
Look for numbers in the environment, for example in your house or when out shopping.
Cut out numbers from cards, magazines etc and ask your child to order them.
Make deliberate mistakes when counting or ordering numbers. Can your child spot what you have done wrong?

All children should have the opportunity to solve real life problems involving numbers. Below are a few ideas to use as a starting point. The more ‘real’ a problem is, the more motivated they will be when trying to solve it:

When shopping, ask your child to find the total cost of 2 or 3 items and how much change you will get.
If you are planning an outing, ask your child to work out what time you will need to set off and how much money you will need to take.
Ask your child to use a TV guide to work out the length of their favourite programmes.
Use a bus or train timetable to plan journeys. How long will it take?
Involve your child in weighing and measuring the ingredients when cooking. Ask them to scale the recipe up or down in order to feed the right amount of people.
Plan a party or a meal on a budget.

Some mathematical facts are used so often that learning them off by heart can be incredibly beneficial. Younger children should know their number bonds to 10 (pairs of numbers that make 10, such as 3 and 7). Older children should learn their times tables as these are used in many different areas of Numeracy.

Most importantly, keep it fun and give your child lots of praise and encouragement!