“Mathematics can be terrific fun; knowing that you can enjoy it is psychologically and intellectually empowering.”

(Watson, 2006).

Mathematics Vision at Barming Primary School:

The latest Curriculum has brought many changes to the Mathematics teaching and learning at Barming Primary School.

We recognise that the new curriculum is more challenging and we embrace this, in order to give our children the best possible Mathematics education and foundations of the subject that they will continue to learn at secondary school.

The major difference with the new curriculum is that once children have ‘mastered’ a concept, they are then challenged through rich and sophisticated investigations before any acceleration to new content. Children of all ages and abilities will be using a range of stimulating resources and apparatus (manipulatives) alongside written methods to help improve their understanding of different concepts. Classes in the same year group will be working on the same topic, so that all children receive the same curriculum coverage. We are using Maths Schemes taken from "White Rose Hub" to support the mastery curriculum with an emphasis on deep conceptual understanding and problem solving.

At Barming Primary School, ‘mastery approaches’ to teaching Maths are used to ensure deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. We believe that mastery of Maths is a tool for life and teachers reinforce an expectation that all pupils are capable of achieving high standards in Mathematics.

The focus is on the development of deep structural knowledge and the ability to make connections. Making connections in Mathematics deepens knowledge of concepts and procedures, ensures what is learnt is sustained over time, and cuts down the time required to assimilate and master later concepts and techniques. 

Our pupils are taught in small, carefully sequenced steps that must be mastered before they move to the next stage. Teachers are clear that their role is to teach in a precise way which makes it possible for all pupils to engage successfully with tasks at the expected level of challenge. Concepts are often explored together to make Mathematical relationships explicit and strengthen pupils’ understanding of Mathematical connectivity. Precise questioning during lessons ensures that our pupils develop fluent technical proficiency and think deeply about the underpinning Mathematical concepts. There is no prioritisation between technical proficiency and conceptual understanding; in our classrooms these two key aspects of mathematical learning are developed in parallel.

Curriculum:

The National Curriculum for Mathematics (2014) aims for pupils to:

• become fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils have conceptual understanding and are able to recall and apply their knowledge rapidly and accurately to problems.
• reason Mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using Mathematical language.
•  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.

Another vital part of the curriculum is mental fluency. Children need to be able to say whether it is better to use a written method or use their mental skills. One of the most important parts of mental maths is knowing their times tables. By the end of Year Four, children are expected to know all of their times tables up to 12×12.

At Barming, we want all children, no matter what ability, to enjoy learning maths, to make links between maths and other subjects, to be challenged and to be able to apply their Mathematical knowledge to real life situations. We will strive to ensure that all children enjoy, achieve and succeed during their time with us.

“Without Mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers.”  Shakuntala Devi.

Mrs Hilden and Mrs Robinson

Maths Leaders

Please click to view the Mathematical Programmes of Study for Key Stage 1 and 2.

Times Tables Information

Recently, you may or may not have had the experience of your that your child coming home excitedly asking you to go on a website called Times Tables Rockstars.

Times Tables Rockstars is a website that lets children practice their times table in a fun, engaging and rewarding way. It lets them create and build a cool avatar, join a battle of bands against other classes and compete in times tables festivals against children around the world!

Click here to go to the login page

Once you are on the website you will be asked to login. Start typing in "Barming Primary School" and click on the school's name when it appears.

Then put in your username and password to login. Each child will have been given their logins by their teacher.

How the site works

When you login in to the website, you will be greeted by a page that looks like this

This is your dashboard, where you can play any of the four main game modes. To get back to this page at any time, click on the dashboard tab in the top left corner of the screen.

When you are in the dashboard, you will see the four main game modes at the bottom: Garage, Studio, Festival and Arena. Below is an explanation of each.

Garage

The school recommends that children play Garage by default as it is designed help them get faster. In this mode class teachers can set which times tables children can focus on.

The website will also work out which questions children struggle with so it will then ask those more often.

Additionally, children playing in the Garage will get 10 coins per correct answer rather than the 1 coin per answer in the other modes. This means more money to spend on their avatar!

Studio

Just like a rock star recording their next big album, children should play in the studio when they are ready to give their best performance. The questions can be anything up to 12x12.

When you play in the studio the website will work out your times tables speed, or how long it takes you to answer each question. Once you have played 10 games in studio the website will work out your average and you will be able to see whether you are a Rock Star, Rock Legend, or even a Rock God!

Arena and Festival

The Arena and Festival are the multiplayer versions of the game. If children want to compete against each other they can go into the arena and do battle with other children!

In the Arena, children can compete against children in their class who are playing at the same time,

In Festival however, the games are open to anyone, anywhere!

New games start every 15 seconds. Just click on the one you want to join. It will highlight in green. Wait for the game to start (timer is on the left) and crush your opponent!

Top Tips

Here is some expert advice to get yourself top of the leaderboard:

• If you're on a computer, use the number pad on the right of the keyboard.
• Keep your right hand on the number pad and have your left finger on the backspace to correct mistakes instantly.
• Try your hardest to figure out the answer to each question. The process of working it out will help you remember it for next time.
• Click here to practice your number pad skills!
• Click here to play the TT Rockstars playlist in the background to get you in the mood!

Click below for ideas and resources from National Numeracy to help families and children under 13 enjoy learning and doing maths together. Discover more on their website.

http://www.familymathstoolkit.org.uk/activities-for-children