“They didn’t do it like that in my day!”

Does your child ask for help with their maths homework and start talking in another language, using words like ‘partitioning’ and ‘number lines’? If so, you may feel the need for some translation. You should have received a leaflet showing how we teach calculation which is designed to explain some of the methods used to teach calculation in schools following the new Primary Curriculum 2014.

Which is more important: or

This will depend on the numbers involved and the individual child.

When faced with a calculation, no matter how large or difficult the numbers may appear to be, all children should ask themselves:

If I can’t do it wholly in my head, what do I need to write down in order to help me calculate the answer? Can I do this in my head? Do I know the approximate size of the answer? Will the written method I know be helpful?

For example 1005 – 999 This can be done mentally!

It is important to encourage children to look first at the problem and then get them to decide which is the best method to choose – pictures, mental calculation with or without jottings, or structured recording.

Formal written methods of calculation These are taught from Y2 onwards

Expanded addition

Expanded methods This moves on to:

Expanded subtraction

Expanded methods – you try

Compact methods Watch videos

Compact methods – you try

Long multiplication Watch video

Long multiplication – you try 123 x 5 34 x 23

Short multiplication Watch video

Short multiplication – you try 123 x 5 34 x 23

Short division Watch video

Short division – you try 123 ÷ 4

Long division Watch video

Long division – you try 123 ÷ 25

CALCULATIONS IN CONTEXT All the methods support children in using their mental and written skills to solve calculations. Children need to be encouraged to use the method that they understand and can use confidently. It is important that children are able to choose the most appropriate method for the calculation.

Using and applying appropriate skills is very important, when calculations are needed to solve a problem.

How can you help? As a parent/ carer it is essential that you help your child with their numeracy skills at home. This does not always mean sitting down with your child. Firstly try to make maths as much fun as possible - games, puzzles and jigsaws are a great way to start. It's also important to show how we use maths skills in our everyday lives and to involve your child in this. Identifying problems and solving them can also help your child develop maths skills. If you see him or her puzzling over something, talk about the problem and try to work out the solution together. Don't shy away from maths if you didn’t like it at school. Try to find new ways to enjoy the subject with your child.

How can you help? Find out which number facts your child is learning at school (addition facts to 10, times tables, doubles etc). Try to practise for a few minutes each day using a range of vocabulary. Have a ‘fact of the day’. Pin this fact up around the house. Practise reading it in a quiet, loud, squeaky voice. Ask your child over the day if they can recall the fact. Go shopping with your child to buy two or three items. Ask them to work out the total amount spent and how much change you will get. Buy some items with a percentage extra free. Help your child to calculate how much of the product is free. Use a TV guide. Ask your child to work out the length of their favourite programmes. Can they calculate how long they spend watching TV each day / each week? Use a bus or train timetable. Ask your child to work out how long a journey between two places should take? Go on the journey. Do you arrive earlier or later than expected? How much earlier/later? Help your child to scale a recipe up or down to feed the right amount of people.

Thank you! Please fill out an evaluation form and if you have any questions then please come and see me, or jot them down on a post-it note and leave on the tables. useful-sites-for-english-maths-ks2-sats

Improving your own skills Many adults think that they aren’t very good at Maths. If you think it’s time that you did something about your own Maths, there are lots of sources of help. There are national telephone and internet helplines available to help find an appropriate course. Learndirect: www.learndirect.co.uk Basic SkillsAgency: skills.co.uk/learners www.basic- skills.co.uk/learners BBC Skillswise:

There are several websites designed to help students of all ages find out about different topics in Maths: –The BBC site ( has excellent sections for revision at KS2 and KS3 ( the GCSE and Skillswise sections also give worked examples of mathematical problems`- particularly useful when your child doesn’t understand her homework and you don’t either…… –The DfES site for parents ( is the best source of information about teaching in schools, and how to support your child’s learning at home. –The Parents Online site ( gives information about children’s education, and how parents can support children’s education – particularly using the Internet.