Mathematics

Reception numbers to 15

Reception have been working with numbers to 15, building representations and constructing concrete number tracks.  They have been refining their one to one correspondence as well as noticing patterns in our number system.

Year 1 Addition

Year 1 have been choosing their methods for solving addition sentences; known facts, number lines, bead strings. Once solved they have been finding equations that are equal.

Year 2 Addition with regrouping

Year 2 have been using Part-Whole frames to structure their addition problems.  They have used stem sentences and the key vocabulary of 'regroup' and 'make ten' during Talk Tasks, how they add the tens and then the ones to solve addition problems.

Year 3 Division

Year 3 have been solving division problems with larger numbers.

Year 3 have been taking their learning outdoors.  They have been using their ICT and calculation skills to solve addition and subtraction problems but they had to find them first!

Why do we teach maths at Mersea Island School?

At Mersea Island School, we want our children to receive a high-quality mathematics education so that all pupils are fluent in the fundamentals, have the ability to reason mathematically, and can apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems set in a range of meaningful contexts. The curriculum is carefully sequenced to combine knowledge, concepts and procedures, systematically building skills and, over time, drawing on connections between mathematical ideas. We want pupils to have an appreciation of how important mathematics is in our lives and aim to nurture a sense of fun and curiosity about the subject.

To see mathematics as being relevant to their world and applicable to everyday life as well as being something that they will need as they move on through their school life and ultimately to the world of employment. To that end, a high-quality, interrelated and creative maths experience should be one that develops the children’s ability to think mathematically and allows them to apply the skills they have developed in a variety of ways.

Our curriculum is intended to divide new material into manageable steps lesson by lesson.  The school uses a variety of teaching and learning styles in mathematics lessons with a range of practical, class, group and independent work undertaken across the school.  We recognise that in all our maths groups there will be children with different mathematical strengths and weaknesses, so provide carefully planned learning challenges for all pupils using a range of strategies to ensure high impact, timely intervention is in place where needed.  Emphasis is placed on developing a secure understanding and recall of times tables facts. Daily teaching of times tables is planned throughout the school, ensuring progression in timetable assimilation.  We have our own Times tables awards system.  The expectation is for the vast majority of pupils to have achieved ‘Level 3’ standard for their year group by the end of the summer term.