Maths Parent Workshop (Introductory Session)

Do it your way!  25x19  5% of 86    ½ of 378  =

Aims of the Workshops To raise standards in maths by working closely with parents. To provide parents with a clear outline of the key features of maths teaching at Grafton Primary School. To provide parents with materials that they can use at home to support children’s maths development.

Good Practice in Maths  Mental calculation skills are vital.  Children need the ability to estimate.  All children need to learn maths in a real life context.  Children need to be able to explain how they have calculated something using a method that suits them. If they can’t explain it, they don’t fully understand it.  Written calculations are taught but when children are ready.

How calculation is taught in our school  Mental methods are taught first, leading to more formal written methods in later years.  Counting of objects and mental counting.  Early stages of calculation with learning of number facts, with recording.  Work with structured number lines.  Work with larger numbers, unstructured number lines and informal jottings

 Formal written methods.  Use of calculators for more difficult calculations.  With any calculation, teach children to consider first whether a mental method is appropriate and remembering to estimate first.

Addition  Addition will first be taught through counting objects and counting verbally. Practical addition is extremely important, and can be used throughout the school, even up to year 6.  Mental addition of known number facts, such as number bonds (1 + 9 = 10, = 10 etc)  Mental addition using techniques such as partitioning, bridging and adjusting.  Use of number lines (either structured or unstructured) to count on.  Standard written method (using carrying) with whole numbers and decimals.

Thank you for coming – we hope today has been useful, and that you will join us for our next session. Please us your comments/suggestions/feedback: Miss Winter Mr Beukes