North Kessock Primary School North Kessock Primary School Maths Workshop for Parents 11 th November 2015

Aims of this evening: Raise awareness of: Developments in teaching of numeracy How parents can help Numeracy resources used in school

Why we need to focus on Mental Methods (55 – 27)

Numeracy attainment: comparisons between 2011 and 2013 At both P4 and P7, there were statistically significantly lower levels of attainment in 2013 compared to At P4, 69 per cent of pupils performed well or very well in 2013, compared to 76 per cent in Similarly, at P7, 66 per cent of pupils performed well or very well in 2013 compared to 72 per cent in The difference in S2 performance between 2011 and 2013 was negligible.

Is there a better way? Problem 1 A lady goes in to a bank each day to deposit her shop’s takings. On Monday she banks £198, Tuesday £87 and Wednesday £202. How much has she banked all together? ___

Is there a better way? Problem 2 A young boy has savings of £704. He wants to buy a computer costing £698. How much money will he have left? ___

How are we developing Learning and Teaching? BeforeAfter Infrequent mental maths sessionsFrequent Questions focussed on answers onlyFocus on ‘how’ the children found the answer- explaining thinking + strategies used Written calculations/textbooksTextbooks Games and activities Mental maths strategies Independent workPair/group- dialogue Unaware of all mental strategies- children and staff Deeper understanding of strategies

Mental Agility The link between knowledge and strategy Strategy Knowledge Creates new knowledge through strategy Provides the foundation for new strategies

What is knowledge? The information that can be recalled instantly (without calculation). Counting sequences, numbers before and after. Recognising patterns (fingers, dots, dominoes, tens frames…) Place Value Basic Facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)

Why basic facts? Instant recall of facts requires no thinking. As the child builds their bank of basic facts they are able to use these to solve problems with more complex numbers.

Strategy Research has shown that in daily life at least 75% of all calculations are done mentally by adults. Children need a range of ways to solve problems – not just written calculations. Teachers need to teach strategies Teachers work with smaller groups to see and hear children’s thinking and strategies

Why do we need to develop mental strategies?

Parental engagement leads to raised attainment

Top tips for parents! Be positive about maths! Never say things like ‘I can’t do maths’ or ‘I hated maths at school’. Your child might start to think like that themselves. Point out the maths in everyday life. Include your child in activities involving numbers and measuring – activities such as shopping, cooking and travelling. Praise your child for effort rather than talent. This shows them that by working hard they can always improve. From:

Nrich parents page

Parentzone Supporting Numeracy one/learningathome/supportingnumeracy/ind ex.asp one/learningathome/supportingnumeracy/ind ex.asp

Read, Write, Count

Highland Numeracy Blog

Have a go…