At St Joseph’s we are committed to the engaging delivery of mathematics across the age ranges and curriculum. For children to access the majority of their learning in mathematics, a strong and confident grasp of the four number operations is important; using formal and informal written methods and mental strategies.

We aim to ensure that all pupils:

·        become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics

·        can reason mathematically

·        can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems

We use concrete apparatus such as Numicon and pictorial representations to develop deep, conceptual understanding of mathematical ideas.  We use talk partners which encourages children to discuss their mathematical concepts.

All primary school-aged children are expected to know their times tables up to 12 x 12 by heart and should have mastered their times tables by the end of Year 4. The Government has introduced a Multiplication Tables Check for children in Year 4. To support the children with this, we have membership of the website, Times Table Rock Stars. The website works on the basis that children need daily practise to get to the top, just like their Rock Star counterparts. It uses music and rewards to help children improve their rapid times tables recall. Over time children also experience the feeling of excitement over performing well.  Teachers in each class can develop a program of times tables for the children to practise. The children are able to answer questions in a timed activity whilst playing by themselves, against their classmates or against children using Times Table Rock Stars anywhere in the world.

The school subscribes to an online maths system, www.mymaths.co.uk. This system will enable your child's class teacher to set online homework tasks and it can also be used in lessons. It has a wealth of fun mathematical activities to engage the children with maths. 

All of the children from Year 1 to Year 6 have their own personal login number and password to access My Maths at home. 

Below is a link to 'Getting Started' advice on the My Maths website.

We hope you enjoy using the site. 

   Maths Learning in the Classroom - 11.05.21

We have been learning to recognise our numbers up to 20 as well as being able to count on from a number up to 20. We used our recognition of number and counting skills to play snakes and ladders where we counted on from different numbers.

"We had partners and we played snakes and ladders. We had a dice and counters and we counted the dots." - Abigail

"We were playing snakes and ladders and then we drew some of the numbers we counted." - Harrison

"We were rolling the dice and then counting the numbers to play the game." - Kai

Here in Matisse class we have been working on division. We used our counters to make groups of number to help us to divide. We also had to make sure that the groups of counters were equal when we were sharing and splitting them into groups. 

"We were learning about counting in equal groups." - Leo

"We were counting our counters and seeing the different groups of numbers we could make." - Grace

Here in Van Gogh class we have been learning about subtraction. We have been using the calculation method of column subtraction to complete our work. We have also been showing our place value knowledge through counters to show how numbers can be converted from different columns.

"We were looking at different ways to take away in our lesson. I was using columns to help me find my answers." - Hugo

"We have been learning about fractions in Year 3. I found out about how when we split things into different equal parts, we are splitting them into fractions. I learnt about quarters, fifths and sixths." - Amelie

Here in Butler class, we have been working on our multiplication and division facts. We have been playing different games to help us recall our number facts. We then developed questions we could ask our partner that would lead to answers to solve number problems. 

"I used the numicon pieces to help me count on in groups of numbers and find answers to multiplication and division questions." - Nevaeh

In Dali class we have been working on finding angles in a triangle. We have used our four rules of number knowledge to calculate missing angles within a range of triangles as well as using our knowledge of angles on a straight line and around a point to calculate exterior angles. 

"We have found angles in a triangle, on a straight line and around a point by using angles that we already know." - Aidan

"We know that there are 180 degrees in a triangle. Knowing this fact helps us to find missing angles in equilateral, scalene and isosceles triangles." - Estela