Chalkwell Hall
Infant School
Maths
Mathematics
| Fluency: We will provide children with opportunities to build upon their prior knowledge and deepen their understanding to recall and apply knowledge rapidly. Fluency enables children to solve mathematical problems logically and efficiently through varied and frequent practice while increasing the complexity of problems over time. |
| Reasoning: Children are provided with opportunities to link concepts and ideas, make generalisations, explain patterns and rules and develop arguments/justifications for their answers using mathematical vocabulary as proof. |
| Maths for Life: There will be opportunities for children to apply their understanding to a variety of problems and link to real life situations. Children will understand how to break down a problem, solve in small steps and persevere in seeking solutions. Children are encouraged to explain and evaluate their choice of equipment or strategy. |
We implement a maths scheme called ‘Maths No Problem!’ This is a comprehensive programme that is designed to carefully build up key mathematical concepts adapted from the maths mastery approaches used in Singapore.
This approach believes that every child can master an understanding and love of maths with the right kind of teaching and support. Its philosophy follows the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) approach which is a highly effective method of teaching that develops a deep and sustainable understanding of maths. It is an essential technique within the Singapore method of teaching maths for mastery.
All KS1 children will follow this approach, with appropriate differentiation used to support or extend individual children. Children work in mixed ability classes without the need for setting. This method uses concrete materials (resources, e.g. cubes) to aid the learning process and promotes problem solving and group work. In EYFS, (Early Years Foundation Stage) teachers use the principles of Singapore Maths by using concrete and visual materials to teach key concepts. The children are also challenged to ‘dig deeper’ through questioning to develop mastery.
‘Maths No Problem!’ follows the National Curriculum so we will continue to focus on developing fluency with numbers and place value and applying these to the four operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. We will also cover aspects of shape, space and measures. This includes recognising, describing and comparing different shapes, using a range of measures including length, mass and capacity, as well as time and money. Instead of discrete lessons based on problem solving, problem solving is an integral part of daily lessons, enabling and empowering children to learn for themselves a greater depth and mastery in the subject.
We also incorporate a ‘Maths Meeting’ into our day throughout the school. These are short, interactive sessions which cover a range of key maths skills to develop mental recall and to ensure understanding is continuously embedded throughout the school year. In these sessions the children will sing songs, play games and answer quick fire questions.
