Maths

Maths Vision Statement

At Southglade Primary and Nursery School our vision for Maths is to equip pupils with a uniquely powerful set of tools to prepare them for the world of the future. These tools include logical reasoning, problem-solving skills and the ability to think in abstract ways. Maths skills are learnt through the concrete, pictorial and abstract model where children are given the chance to learn new concepts using manipulatives at first; then once mastered move on to representing the concept through pictures and finally develop a secure understanding that can be applied in the abstract. Alongside learning in Maths, children are given the chance to apply and deepen their understanding through reasoning and problem solving activities. We believe that it is important for children to be skilled in mental arithmetic and times-tables knowledge to form a foundation for fluency in maths. We also place emphasis on the cross curricula opportunities to use maths in a wide range of other contexts which highlight the importance of mathematical skills in DT, Art, Science, Geography and other subject areas.

The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:

• become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
• reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language
• can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.

At Southglade children are encouraged to answer reasoning problems through explaining their thinking using Captain Conjecture and Co-Star Convince. Captain Conjecture helps children to explain what they they think is happening in the Maths problem and Co-Star Convince helps the children to find evidence to prove their answer is correct.

At Southglade we follow the CPA model of teaching (Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract) Math. Through this model children start by using a variety of concrete apparatus to practically explore the maths concept being taught. They will then move on to using pictorial representations of the maths and finally when ready work in the abstract.

Please see our calculation policy at the bottom of this page for more information.

 Times Tables Rockstars

Learning multiplication facts is a vital part of any child’s mathematical development. Once rapid recall of multiplication facts becomes possible, a whole host of mathematical activities will seem easier. Children need to be able to recall multiplication facts in any order and also to derive associated division facts.

At Southglade we use TImes Tables Rockstars to practise children's rapid recall of multiplication and division facts. All children from years 2 to 6 have their own individual log in.

Follow this link to go to the Times Tables Rockstars website.

https://play.ttrockstars.com/

If you have any problems with TTRS please speak to your child's class teacher.

The expectations for each year group are set out below:
 

Year 1
Count in multiples of 2, 5 and 10.

Year 2
Count in steps of 2, 3 and 5 from 0.
Recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables.

Year 3
Count from 0 in multiples of 4, 8, 50 and 100.
Recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4, and 8 multiplication.

Year 4
Count in multiples of 6, 7, 9, 25 and 1000.
Recall and use multiplication and division facts up to 12 × 12.
By the end of Year 4, pupils should have memorised their multiplication tables up to and including the 12 multiplication table and show precision and fluency in their work.

Year 5/6
Developing skills using and applying their times tables knowledge.

Chilli Challenge

In some maths lessons we provide what is known as the chilli challenge. Children can choose the level of challenge of the activity. These activities are split into 4 different levels:

Extra mild

Mild

Hot

Spicy

We encourage children to choose an activity that closely matches their ability whilst challenging themselves at the same time.