Mathematics

Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems.

It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.

“Mathematics reveals its secrets only to those who approach it with pure love, for its own beauty.” Archimedes

“The highest form of pure thought is in mathematics.” Plato

Our curriculum – White Rose Maths

At Roundthorn we believe the concrete, pictorial and abstract approach is highly effective as it develops a deep and sustainable understanding of Maths in pupils. The White Rose scheme uses this approach for each unit of work, breaking down objectives into small steps and showing a wide variety of resources and ideas for teachers to use.

Throughout each year group the White Rose scheme focuses on number for a large proportion of the year. At Roundthorn we believe that number underpins almost every area of mathematics. Without firm foundations in number, children are likely to struggle with other aspects of mathematics. To ensure solid foundations are built and to ensure skills are deeply embedded the White Rose scheme revisits number each term in Year 1, this allows children to be fully equipped at the end of Key stage 1 to use and apply their number knowledge in other areas of Maths. To help children feel confident with calculation, Years 2 – 6 have a weekly arithmetic lesson where the sole aim is to develop fluency and number sense in mental and written calculation.

At Roundthorn we use the White Rose long term overviews as a guide The number of weeks spent on each topic may vary depending on the needs of each cohort. The blocked consolidation week allows extra time to address any misconceptions identified throughout the unit.

At Roundthorn, we have created some warm up planners to revisit essential key facts that the children have previously learnt. These warm ups are used at the start of each maths lesson with the aim of developing fluency and helping children remember more of their learning.

Times tables

It is so important that children know their times tables and division facts. These number facts help in all aspects of maths. These are when the children learn their times tables:

Year 2 – children learn their 2x, 5x and 10x tables and division facts

Year 3 – build upon 2x, 5x and 10x but also learn their 3x, 4x, 8x and 11x tables and division facts

Year 4 – build upon 2x, 5x, 10x, 3x, 4x, 8x, 11x but learn 6x, 7x, 9x and 12x tables and division facts

The government have introduced a multiplication tables check for all of the children in year 4. This will be an on-screen check of 25 questions. Children will have 6 seconds to answer each question. For more information, click on this link for the parent handbook. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1031901/2022_Information_for_parents_Multiplication_tables_check.pdf

To help children learn their times tables, children from years 2 – 6 have access to Times Tables Rockstars (TT Rockstars). If you need your child’s login, please speak to the class teacher. You can download the TT Rockstar app or visit: https://ttrockstars.com/ on a web browser.

Each half term, years 2 – 6 take part in a times table bee. They compete in house groups, and it encourages children to learn their multiplication and division facts and develops their confidence.

Useful websites

TTRockstars https://ttrockstars.com/ Times tables

Numbots https://numbots.com/

Hit the button https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

100 square ‘Paint the squares’ https://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/paint-the-squares