Mathematics at Queen's Park

Mathematics at Queen’s Park COE/URC Primary School

What is the school trying to do to take maths forward to a mastery of maths approach?

From September 2016, planning and teaching of mathematics has been based upon a mastery approach whereby children are given a deeper and broader understanding of the key mathematical concepts. We follow Maths Mastery and use their approach of concrete, pictorial and abstract for the children to have a greater depth of understanding.

How are interventions addressed quickly so that pupils can keep up?

• Pre-teaching to targeted children before new concepts are introduced – morning intervention groups

• Teacher/Teaching assistant focus groups are monitored and activities adapted during the lesson if necessary

• Pupil premium children targeted - afternoon support

• Targeted support – afternoon

• 1:1/small group intervention following the lesson on the same day for children who have not grasped concepts

How are rapid graspers stretched?

Rapid graspers are monitored by our gifted and talented co-ordinator Miss Corden. The children are ‘master learners’ as they help in other classes across the school.

These children are challenged through:

• Next steps relating to Maths Mastery stickers

• Reasoning challenges

• Opportunities to write explanations – E.g. correct or not correct, convince me.

• Opportunities to explain to others

• Opportunities to generate own questions and problems – innovate

How is attainment and progress in mathematics tracked?

• Daily marking and feedback identifies misconceptions which are then used as teaching points in reflection time

• On-going review of KPIS and learning objectives with a termly teacher judgement against an ARE standard

• EYFS baseline autumn term/assessment tasks/observations

• Y1-6 summative assessment – tests used alongside teacher assessment based upon class work/observations

• Scaled scores from summative assessments inform school tracking system

What might be observed in a Maths Mastery lesson.

In our six-part lesson, children will review and do, working on their next steps from previous lessons. Then children will develop their learning with a teacher input. Children will then practise this learning with a talk task, giving them chance to put into practise what they have learnt. After this, children will have a short new learning input and then move on to their independent task. Finally, the lesson will have a plenary summarising what has been taught.

Key Principles of Mathematics Teaching at Queen’s Park

• -Next step marking, children respond to this in purple pen of power.

• Children using concrete resources to aid understanding, then moving on to pictorial and abstract ways of learning.

• Up to date working wall, with examples of concrete, pictorial abstract.

• Vocabulary – all staff have high expectations and expect all children to use the star words of the lesson (Mathematical vocabulary) and speak in Mathematical sentences.

• Problem solving, reasoning and fluency aspects in every lesson.

• Teacher modelling using full mathematical sentences, enabling children to reason and justify their own thinking.

• Talk partners to help children practise the star words of the lesson and Mathematical sentences.

• Growth mind set culture where children learn from their mistakes

• Open and probing questioning to deepen children's thinking – Mathematical thinking.

• A range of different working styles: Group work, paired work, independent work.

• Teaching assistant working with targeted children/group to maximise progress.

It is important to remember that every lesson is unique to each class and year group. Teachers will be working with the pace and ability of the cohort and adapting where and when possible, this is meet the needs off all children.

How can I support my child at home?

This link below has a variety of videos specially made for parents. It covers everything from number bonds to long division.

https://mathsnoproblem.com/en/parent-videos/

Please encourage your child to use the following websites to support their maths:

https://ttrockstars.com/login 

This website helps children become fluent with their times tables in a fun and engaging way. 

https://www.mymaths.co.uk/

This website enables children to practise everything they have been learning in school. 

https://www.rmeasimaths.com/

RM Easimaths comes packed with activities for students of different ages allowing children to progress at a pace appropriate to their own individual abilities.

 http://www.iseemaths.com/visual-games/ 

The games help children to develop a strong 'number feel' and develop early calculation strategies. The games are also simple and enjoyable to play!

https://myminimaths.co.uk/ 

Support your children's mathematical learning with short, FREE and easy to use tasks. Develop their confidence and understanding across all areas of the curriculum. Free to use video tutorials are available to support both teaching and learning and make mathematical concepts accessible for everyone. 

We will be holding Maths workshops throughout the year, to help you support your child.

Dates will be shared soon!