Mathematics is one of the most important subjects that your child studies at school. Numbers are all around us and even if you don't feel yourself to be a mathematics genius, there is plenty that you can do. In fact, your child should enjoy most of the suggested activities so much that she/he won't even realise that it's educational! Current teaching methods for maths and even the way that sums are recorded appear very different from those used twenty years ago. As a result, parents are sometimes reluctant to help their children with maths homework for fear of doing things in the wrong way. However, children do really benefit when parents take a keen interest in their mathematical learning.

Have you solved this puzzle? Did you work systematically? How did you record your thinking- did it help you to keep track?

You can help your child to gain confidence and develop a positive attitude towards mathematics by talking about what has been taught at school and helping her/him to notice and use mathematics in an everyday context. I love playing with numbers! Numbers are fun they make you think- it’s like a game I was rubbish at maths when I was at school

The Numerate Child I know by heart number facts. I can explain how I solved problems. I can use mathematical language I can use what I know to figure out answers mentally I can predict answers and judge whether my answers are sensible I can suggest units for measuring, and make sensible estimates I know by heart number facts. I can persevere and try out different approaches

How maths teaching has changed - the new order of learning  The maths curriculum has much more content.  There is more emphasis on using and applying mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding.  Addition and subtraction facts have to be learnt as well as multiplication tables.  There is much more emphasis on mental methods of calculation and strategies for mental methods are taught and discussed.  Written methods of calculation are introduced later than they were and, at the time of writing, any efficient method can be used (Year 4)

Using and applying-lie at the Reasoning and being logical and communicating

LTHC RICH

Mental calculations are equally important

NUMBER FACTS WHAT DO CHILDREN NEED TO KNOW? NUMBER BONDS DOUBLES HALVES PLACE VALUE TIMES TABLE FACTS

Things you have at home Playing cards Dice

Strategies Counting on and Backwards Reordering Partitioning Compensation Near doubles Fractions Learning is a process, if we “show and tell” we prevent the thinking

Asking the right question

Informal jottings Using pictures Partitioning The number line

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin

Addition Subtraction 32 – – –

More than any other factor - “Family learning can help improve children’s attitudes to education … There is clear evidence that homework helps children reach higher standards” Gov. White paper 1997