We have been learning about the 2 times tables using bricks to visualise what this looks like. We noticed doubles! We then wrote out the abstract form and noticed the commutativity of multiplication… check us out!
Multiplication Fun In Crew Ramsay
Category : Maths at Carcroft
Multiplication Manipulatives!
We have been really grasping the concept of multiplication by exposing the structure of repeated addition first. Here we are multiplying numbers with bricks, base ten and sticks! We are so secure with this now that writing equations is easy work. Good Job Crew Ramsay!
Caution construction zone ahead!
Crew Frost have had a wonderful week exploring all areas of our provision! It has been lovely to see the children so engaged and independent in their play.
This week, many of the children have been particularly interested in developing their small world play, creating different homes and habitats for our animals. Through this, they have been using their imaginations brilliantly and building detailed role-play stories together. This strongly supports their Communication and Language development, as they listened to one another’s ideas, shared their own thoughts, and worked collaboratively to extend their play.
We have also seen fantastic examples of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, with children taking turns, negotiating roles, and working as a team to achieve a shared goal. It has been wonderful to watch their confidence grow as they solved problems together.
In addition, the children really impressed us with their critical thinking and perseverance while experimenting with balancing and manipulating different materials. This hands-on exploration links to both Physical Development(developing control and coordination) and Mathematics, as they explored concepts such as balance, size, and stability through trial and error.
These experiences reflect the EYFS Development Matters guidance by providing meaningful, play-based opportunities for children to think creatively, communicate effectively, and develop resilience.
Out door maths
Over the past few days, the children have thoroughly enjoyed exploring maths through our outdoor provision. Using our “fast maths eyes,” we have been identifying and talking about shapes we can see in the environment, developing our early numberical skills and deepening our understanding of shape in meaningful, real-life contexts.
The children have also been busy creating simple two-part repeating patterns using natural resources such as sticks, leaves, twigs and stones. This hands-on exploration supports the Mathematics area of learning, particularly by recognizing, continuing, and creating patterns, while also encouraging problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration.
Crew Frost have also been given opportunities to write numbers using chalk and other outdoor materials which has strengthened fine motor control and pencil grip. As the children formed numbers, we used fun phrases such as “around the tree, around the tree, that’s the way we make a three” to reinforce correct formation in an engaging and memorable way.
These experiences offer rich, practical, and play-based opportunities for Crew Frost to build strong foundations in number, shape, and pattern through active exploration.
Well done, Crew Frost — amazing mathematical thinking.
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!
Fractionopoly
Some children in year 6 have been playing Fractionopoly to help them learn and remember fractions in a fun and engaging way. The game encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and quick thinking while reinforcing key fraction skills.
Rekenrek Time!
In Crew Ramsay we have progressed to numbers beyond 10 in Mastering Number. We have been really trying to understand that teen numbers are composed of 10…and a bit more. We have chanted, pushed beads and danced our way into teen number fluency! Here we are enjoying some down time with our rekenreks playing a little composition bingo to embed prior learning. Well done Crew Ramsay, you are awesome mathematicians.
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!
Guess The Shape!
In Year Two Maths, we have been revisiting our Shape learning from Year One. Here we are guessing the shapes with our eyes closed based on their physical properties. We loved getting practical with the concrete resources today!
Mastering (Odd) Numbers
Today in Mastering Number, Crew Ramsay got busy making odd numbers on a tens frame. We learned that odd numbers can be made by making an even number and adding an odd ‘1’. We call these ‘Odd Tops’.
