Maths
Overview
At Elmswell we provide our children with a wide mathematical experience taught in an enjoyable, relevant and creative way.
We ensure that all pupils become fluent in the fundamentals of maths, reason mathematically using mathematical language, and solve real life problems by breaking them down into a series of simpler steps.
Our Programmes of Study come from the National Curriculum for Mathematics. They include: - Number, Measures, Geometry and Statistics. All areas require children to be able to use and apply mathematics effectively and efficiently.
Mathematics is taught daily in discrete lessons and also using a cross-curricular approach where appropriate (for example in science investigations). We follow the Oxford University Press maths scheme ‘Inspire Maths’ which organises maths learning into four main areas:
• New Learning: Direct teaching to develop knowledge and deep understanding.
• Guided practice: Informal assessment of children’s understanding.
• Activity: Help for children to accommodate the concepts and skills learnt.
• Practice: Further enhancement to the accommodation of concepts and skills.
Children learn new maths concepts using physical resources so that they understand how and why calculations and methods work, then move onto ways of representing mathematical ideas, including the use of ‘Bar Modelling’. All children will then progress onto more complex abstract symbols and ideas using numbers that are outside their fluency range.
Children move through the maths programme together; the scheme offers opportunities for children to deepen and extend their learning (mastery) and scaffolding for those who need to secure the foundations of their understanding.
Sharing learning at home
We encourage children to share their learning with parents and guardians through homework activities as well as engaging with ‘Mathletics’ and ‘Times Tables Rock Stars’ maths websites. We also enjoy hosting ‘Café for All’ mornings – inviting parents and guardians in for fun and informative activities where we can share ideas for helping children with maths at home.