Concrete Maths To Launch A New Unit!

We have been busy in our concrete maths session using sticks to build numbers as part of our Multiplication and Division unit. To kickstart this unit, pupils used sticks in bundles of 12 to make equal groups. They drew upon their shape learning to make equal groups too. We then had a gallery walk to see the different representations and orientations before making ‘unequal groups’. What a brilliant day of hands on Maths!

Sticky Knowledge – Maths Reasoning

Each week, in Crew White, we have a different reasoning focus then the following week we find out how much of that learning has stuck. Last week, the focus was all about matching questions: fractions, decimals and percentages. Today, we tackled two short reasoning questions to see how well the learning stuck and thankfully it’s still in our brain ready for when we need it. This is something called retrieval practice.

Red is ready to go!

This week the crew Frost have been introduced to a rekenrek. A rekenrek is a is a hands-on maths teaching resource used to help young children visualize and learn essential early years maths. It is perfect for building up subitising skills and concrete experiences during their maths sessions putting their fast maths eyes to the test. However, to start in crew Frost we have just been practicing the golden rules for using a rekenrek such as “red is ready to go” meaning we always push with the color red at the front and only with one finger and one big push! Once crew Frost mastered this we were able to have a go at pushing just one red bead across and to really challenge two for some! Well done crew frost you were amazing at it!

Subitise

Subitising is a crucial skill children must master to be amazing mathematicians! Subitising involves looking at an amount and instantly knowing the numerical value for example; I can see 3 dots. In today’s game crew Frost has taken it in turns to role the dice from 1 to 3. When the dice lands on a number the children have to make their way across on the subitising cards that matches the number. To stretch and challenge we even added some cards with different colored dots! Well done crew Frost! You were so kind at taking turns and showing courage taking part in our new game!