Maths at home

Information for parents

Wednesday 18th March 2015

Maths in the Early Years

Two main areas within the EYFS for Mathematics: Number, and Space, Shape and Measure

Numbers: Children count reliably with numbers from 1 to 20, place

them in order, and say which number is one more or one less than a given number.

Using quantities and objects they add and subtract two single-digit numbers and count on and back to find the answer.

They solve problems, including doubling, halving and sharing.

Shape space and measures: Children use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, distance. time and money to compare quantities and objects and to solve problems.

They recognise describe and create patterns.

They explore characteristics of everyday objects and shapes and use mathematical language to describe them.

Maths in KS1Content covers four strands:Number – 4 areas place value (number names, counting, ordering numbers) addition and subtraction multiplication and division fractions Measurement (length, weight, capacity, time,

money)Geometry (Shape)Statistics (Year 2)

•Maths at home…basic principles

Remember all aspects of the curriculum.Make it funPersonalise the learning for your childLittle and oftenPart of the daily routineDevelop problem solving and enquiry skillsKeep the “handwriting” separate from the maths!Build on a firm foundation-not a tall wobbly

tower!“Do, talk, record” or even just “do and talk”

Number – number and place value

Rote counting-forward and back, in steps of 1,2,5,10.Ordering numbers even non-sequential Maths -

Caterpillar Ordering - TopmarksCounting sets of objects (use coins!) lots of skills

needed-accuracy,moving objects,grouping etcPlace value- (1/10)more than/ (1/10)less than,

before/after/betweenUnderstand 100 square-every Y1 child should have one!

splatsq100 Look for patterns! Play “think of a number” develop to include odd/even,

tens/units, how many digits?

Knowing and using number facts

Number bonds before times tablesYear 1 aim is to know bonds to 20 by end

of year.Achieve this in stages- bonds to 10 firstMake sure they understand - practical first

(pegs, fingers, penny coins, buttons etc.)Story of 10 –addition and subtraction Quick recall of facts-clapping game, hit the

button Maths - Hit the Button - Topmarks

Use what you know…… 4+6=10

10-4=6

10=4+6

14+6=20

6+4=10

10-6=4

40+60=100

60+40=100

10=6+4

4+16=20

14+16=30

400+600=1000

4+7=11

5+6=11

And…?!

CalculatingAddition and subtraction in Y1-not formal multiplication or

divisionUse of fingers or objects first then wean off when

appropriateDevelop understanding and use of efficient strategies

(putting numbers in your head and count on/ biggest number first/ doubles and near doubles etc., knowledge of number bonds)

Practical games: Don’t roll a 6!, Sum or difference ?Writing own “number sentences” not just putting answer in

a box (let them be teacher and make sure you sometimes get it wrong!)

Find lots of different ways to make a target number-tells you a lot about what they do/do not know

funkymummy

Measuring

Really good to teach at home-real life uses not abstract problems. Measures of time, mass, length, capacity

Time-days of week, months of year and seasons. Clock face and digital time

Cook with your child-weigh ingredients in g/kg and ml/l. Look for measures on packaging when shopping.

Capacity-much better in bath than when in school uniform!

Length-cm/m/km when appropriate in daily life. Encourage correct vocabulary so “taller than” or “longer than” may be more appropriate than “bigger than”

Multiplication and division, and fractionsProcess of these concepts more important than the symbols

at this age.Understanding multiplication as repeated addition, multiple

sets or counting patterns2+2+2= 6 2, 4, 6 Understanding division as sharing objects or sets of objects

equally- practical experiencesFractions- In Year 1 need to recognise, find and name ½ of

a set of a shape, or set of objects. Then explore ¼ .

Geometry (Shape)2d and 3d shapes- names, properties,

everyday objects, links between shapes2d vocabulary- flat, sides, corners, circle,

square, triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon.

3d vocabulary- edges, corners (vertices), faces, surface, flat, curved, cube, cuboid, cone, cylinder, sphere, prism, pyramid

Regular Irregular

Triangles

Pentagons

Hexagons

Also included within geometry

Position, direction and movement Language- above, below, behind, first, 2nd

up, down, across, down, left, right, turn.Grid references- use programmable toys,

moving a model round a grid, treasure hunt, you or your child are the robot following instructions!

Statistics (Data handling)Not explicitly introduced until Year 2 but there are lots

of skills that can be developed before thisSorting objects-buttons, lids, coins etc. Children can

follow your criteria or make up own. Can they justify choices? Also use to continue patterns, and create their own.

Prediction and estimation in many aspects of daily lifeTallyingSpecific data handling/ data display e.g. look at our

calendar-which month has most birthdays? Holiday brochures, leaflets etc. often have graphs/tables-what do they tell us?

Useful things to have at home include…

100 squareDice and countersDominoesBoard gamesCollections to count/ sort/ use in problem solving

e.g. coins, lids, buttons,Bingo gameWhiteboard and pensGames/toys to develop logic/problem solving and

spatial awareness e.g. Blokus, Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles and Lego.

Be a good role model!

Use correct vocabulary and encourage your child to do so

Say numbers correctly so 401 is “four hundred and one” not “four-oh-one”

Try and encourage independence and let them show you what they know or think

Remember it is better for your child to understand a little than to not understand a lot!

Show your child that you sometimes have to make jottings or work things out - even grown–ups don’t always know the answer

Don’t say maths is hard or that you didn’t like it at school!If you aren’t sure-ask the teacher!

Useful WebsitesPrimary Resources: Maths: General

resources, Crickweb, ICT games, Woodlands school website,

BBC bitesize and cbeebiesPoissonrouge. Games and activities

(younger children) Register for free for 10 days. After this £12 annually.

Variety of apps for Android and Apple- choose according to your child’s ability and preferred learning style.