What am I going to learn?
Maths is a deeply creative subject that is integral to how we live our lives today. Maths is often divided into ‘topics’ but in reality these are deeply inter-connected and understanding in one domain supports understanding in others.
In Maths you will:
• Become fluent in the fundamental concepts of maths
• Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations and developing an argument. You will be asked to find proof to justify your ideas.
• Solve problems by applying your knowledge of maths to a variety of routine and non-routine problems of increasing complexity, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.
At Beit Shvidler our whole school vision for maths is that:
• everyone can do maths
• mistakes help us learn
• all contributions are valued whether right or wrong
• the process is the most important element of learning
• we should have a range of mathematical strategies to use appropriately
• knowing multiplication tables and number facts is crucial
• we should frequently make connections between maths topics
• we should relate maths to real life situations
• we should be able to reason and solve problems with increasing confidence
What knowledge and skills will I learn when I study Maths?
Through the study of Maths you will become fluent and confident in working with numbers for their own sake, and in the wider world. You will develop the key skills of reasoning, problem solving and the ability to think in abstract ways. You will learn that many problems have more than one correct answer, and that there are multiple means of finding a solution. You will learn to communicate your reasoning process and re-evaluate your calculations if you make mistakes. As the National Curriculum says, through maths you will develop ‘an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity.’
Mastery in Maths
At Beit Shvidler we take a ‘mastery’ approach to maths, with the core value that everyone can enjoy and learn maths. A mastery approach means that we seek to engage children fully as learners in each lesson through whole class, interactive teaching including questioning, short tasks, explanation, demonstration and discussion. Practise is designed to reinforce fluency and develop conceptual understanding. A mastery curriculum is designed to give careful thought to the sequence of learning, and ensures that each stage builds carefully on prior learning. Deep understanding of key principles is a feature of mastery learning and is seen as fundamental to future learning, recognising and making connections, and generalising knowledge. We are part of the NCETM Mathematics Hub, and through this, our teachers have received training and excellent models of good practice. For more information in teaching for mastery in mathematics, please look at these five big ideas in teaching for mastery at: https://www.ncetm.org.uk/teaching-for-mastery/mastery-explained/five-big-ideas-in-teaching-for-mastery/
At Beit Shvidler, we use Power Maths to teach our maths curriculum. Power Maths is supplemented by White Rose and we are starting to introduce the NCETM spine materials. Maths is enhanced further by making links through the wider curriculum. Opportunities for whole school Maths Assemblies and Whole school Maths Days ensure further Maths connections are created.
Power Maths
Power Maths has been designed to support and challenge all pupils, and is built on the belief that EVERYONE can learn maths successfully. Parents can find out more about Power Maths in the guide for parents on the school website.
The philosophy behind Power Maths is that being successful in maths is not just about rote-learning procedures and methods, but is instead about problem solving, thinking and discussing. Many people feel they were taught maths in a way that was about memorising formulas and calculation methods, then having to apply them without any real understanding of what or how these methods actually work. Power Maths includes practice questions to help children develop fluent recall and develop their conceptual understanding. Power Maths uses growth mindset characters to prompt, encourage and question children. They spark curiosity, engage reasoning, secure understanding and deepen learning for all. There is also a commitment to learning the language of maths and children are encouraged to use maths terminology when explaining their reasoning and showing their understanding.
How do Maths lessons work?
Each lesson has a progression, with a central flow that draws the main learning into focus. There are different elements, informed by research into best practice in maths teaching, that bring the lessons to life:
• Retrieval – each lesson begins with retrieval practice. This improves memory retention and learning outcomes.
• Counting – Regular fluency practice takes place, this may involve using the counting stick or using Rolling numbers practice sessions.
• Introduction – Introduce the main concept of the lesson with hands-on resources and/or models, images and drawings to make the ideas clear. At Beit Shvidler, we use a CPA approach. Children are able to develop their understanding of the concept with input from the teacher.
• Think together – the next part of the lesson is a journey through the concept, digging deeper and deeper so that each child builds on secure foundations while being challenged to apply their understanding in different ways and with increasing independence.
• Independent work– now children work individually or in small groups, rehearsing and developing their skills to build fluency, understanding of the concept and confidence. Learning takes place in small steps built with time for reflection.
• Live Marking – children mark small steps (using a green pen in line with the school’s marking policy) this allows errors and misconceptions are identified immediately.
• Reflect – finally, children are prompted to reflect on and record their learning from each session and show how they have grasped the concept explored in the lesson.
Children are assessed half termly on the units completed in Power Maths and the assessments focus on both reasoning and arithmetic. Children are supported through prompt interventions if there are gaps in their learning, with the understanding that they will ‘keep up rather than catch up’.
What knowledge and skills will maths give me when I leave Beit Shvidler?
We want our mathematicians to be curious and think deeply about the world. The skills of reasoning, breaking problems down into smaller steps and being flexible and creative will underpin your ability to ‘know’ numbers. You will develop a number sense and be able to apply knowledge rapidly, accurately and efficiently. You will be able to move fluently between different representations of mathematical ideas and be able to use physical resources to model your mathematical thinking. You will have clear strategies for using number in future maths lessons, but also experience of applying your mathematical thinking in a wide variety of real-world situations.
The study of maths is essential to everyday life and is critical to the worlds of science, technology and engineering. Most forms of employment require some aspects of maths, and through understanding maths you will be able to manage and understand money when you enter employment. This is critical to your future independence as an adult.
Maths overview