Maths

Big Picture - Talk like a Mathematician

Maths helps us to solve problems in everyday life; like adding up when shopping, using money to pay for things we want and when sharing. We use measuring for DIY and building, taking temperature, telling the time, cooking, giving medicine safely and when travelling distances. We use position and direction when driving. We use our knowledge of shape when designing and building.

At St. Stephen’s Infant School, we believe that Maths is incredibly important in our lives. We teach and use Maths every day because it is all around us! We encourage a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about mathematics through providing a rich, varied and challenging curriculum to enable children to become confident mathematicians.

Our Maths teaching has evolved to suit our learners. 'Chunking' of units of work continues to work well across Key Stage 1 (programmes of study are taught over a period of weeks). This allows teachers the opportunity to extend/repeat or shorten units of work depending on the classes’ fluency and confidence. When planning a unit of work we identify a 'challenge for all' model which identifies age-related expectations that will be covered. A clear big picture/purpose for learning sets out the learning/practise of skill ahead. Lessons include a pre-assessment task for the beginning of each unit. The use of pre-assessment tasks allows the class teacher to create flexible groups with a personalised teaching and learning approach.  We use a range of manipulatives (e.g. Numicon, base10) and strategies throughout the teaching sequence.

Our aim is that all children leave St Stephen’s Infants School with:

• A positive ‘can do’ attitude towards Maths, built on Growth Mindset principles, learning from mistakes
• An understanding of the importance of Maths and a clear purpose of why we learn it
• Mathematical subject specific vocabulary across all areas of Maths which supports problem solving and reasoning
• Strategies that support the four operations of Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division
• Resilience and a growth mindset so they are equipped to be challenged, learn from their mistakes and solve problems

KS1 Curriculum Coverage

Year 2

Below you will find documents that explain our SSIS maths journey in Reception and KS1.

Doodle Maths

All children at SSIS will have access to Doodle Maths with their own Doodle account. We encourage the use of Doodle Maths as an activity for home learning.

"Doodle Maths:

• Fully aligned to the EYFS, KS1, KS2 and KS3 curriculums
• Continually adapts to each child's strengths and weaknesses
• Rewards effort over ability, boosting confidence
• Encourages and supports independent learning
• Available on all devices"

"Doodle gives pupils the skills to succeed. Created by teachers and aligned with the EYFS–KS3 curriculums, DoodleMaths helps them learn the fundamentals of maths through fun, interactive and personalised exercises, ensuring continued progression in their learning"

"By setting work at just the right level and rewarding effort over ability, DoodleMaths empowers every child to work independently and believe in themselves, helping even the least confident of learners gain a love of maths"
(https://doodlelearning.com/maths-app?for=schools)

Please use the guidelines below to access Doodle Maths

We celebrate Doodle Maths engagement during our weekly celebration assemblies.

Mastering Number

As of September 2024, we are part of the Mastering Number Programme.

"This project aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2. The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number. Attention will be given to key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1 to support success in the future."
(https://www.ncetm.org.uk/maths-hubs-projects/mastering-number-at-reception-and-ks1)