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Maths

Leighswood Curriculum progression map - Maths

At Leighswood School, we aim to offer pupils a rich and enjoyable experience in mathematics by providing the knowledge, skills, concepts and processes that are appropriate to each individual and relate to the world around them.

Our maths curriculum is taught through Big Maths, a teaching method developed by Ben Harding that makes progress in Maths easy and fun for both children and teachers.

Big Maths provides an accurate and simple, but highly effective, framework that guarantees numeracy progress. This framework is known as CLIC (Counting, Learn its, Its Nothing New and Calculation). Through steps known as ‘Progress Drives’ the children develop the skills and confidence they need to become confident in all areas of maths. This involves lots of repetition, revisiting and reinforcement to ensure the children develop a secure knowledge of the skills, constantly nudging the children up the progress drive.

During each mathematics session, all the children take part in a daily CLIC session which focuses on developing the numerical ‘inner maths’ skills.

Counting – Learn to count in a variety of ways.

Each lesson includes counting as this is the first step to mathematical development. Children begin in Foundation, saying numbers 1 to 10 in order and progress to counting along number lines in fractions, decimals and negative numbers, as well as counting in different contexts such as counting along a scale on a measuring jug or a scale on a graph.

Learn its – Learn to remember totals and facts

‘Learn its’ are number facts which are learnt from Reception to Year 4 and consolidated in Y5 and Y6. They are split across the different terms so that each class works on a few Learn Its at a time, to ensure they are fully embedded. There are 36 addition facts and 36 multiplication facts for all tables up to an including x 12; these are learnt in class and practiced at home and are tested on a regular basis. The focus is on recalling these facts so they ‘pop out’ just as speedily as your would say your name when asked.

Its Nothing New – Apply facts from counting and Learn Its

Children develop their skills, using the facts they have learnt in different ways as ‘its nothing new’. Children make progress in very small steps to ensure skills are embedded and the children can use them independently in other areas of maths.

For example: Through the character PIM, they learn that if they know3 + 2 = 5, then 3 apples + 2 apples are 5 apples, 2p + 3p = 5p, 2 million and 3 million = 5 million. We just change the thing!

Calculation – Use of Brain only and Formal methods.

This stage of the CLIC focuses on developing both mental calculation strategies – Super FAB- alongside formal column methods – Speedy Col. This involves addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. In this part of the lesson the children bring together the other areas of the CLIC. Careful assessment and planning ensures that the children have learnt the appropriate skills to ensure this step is achieved by all pupils.

Please refer to the Parent Booklets for the Year End Calculation expectations for your child.

Formative Assessment

As well as tracking the children’s progress through daily teaching, the children also take part in regular challenges.

Learn It Challenge – focuses on recalling the learn it facts the children have been learning.

CLIC Challenge – revisits the skills taught in Calculation, Counting and It’s Nothing New.

These assessments allow teachers to evaluate children’s progress and motivate children by enabling them to track their own progress. Both tests begin with fun and catchy jingles that enthuse and engage the children, from Reception to Year 6.

Outer Maths

After each CLIC session, children apply their learning in ‘outer maths’ as specified in the Programmes of Study for their Year group in the National Curriculum 2014. The children are taught in two/three weekly blocks.

Number – includes place value, calculation and working with fractions; applying these skills to everyday situations.

Measurement – using measures in everyday situations including money, telling the time, days of the week and months and chronological order.

Geometry – knowing and understanding the properties of 2D and 3D shapes, position and direction which includes turns and co-ordinates.

Statistics – collecting, sorting and interpreting information in charts, graphs and tables.

For more information click on the link below

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/335158/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Mathematics_220714.pdf

Parent Workshops

This term we have held 4 very successful workshops for parents across the school – Foundation, Y1-2, Y3-4 and Y5-6

Workshops focused on developing the calculation skills through the Big Maths progress drives. Each session focused on the year end expectations for each primary phase.

Year 1-2 Parent

“It made it very clear exactly how maths is taught and how I will be able to help my child at home”

Year 1-2 Parent

“It gave me a better understanding of how maths is taught and the terminology used in school and this will help when talking about and practising maths at home”

Year 3-4 Parent

“It has given me an insight into the strategies used in school.”

“Very clear and concise explanation on how to work calculation out and what’s expected for each year group. I think the Big Maths scheme is great!”

Year 5-6 Parent

“Very interesting to see the new format, it’s an eye opener to new maths . Everything I’ve learnt during the session is much better than the old way.”

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