Lochardil Primary School

Numeracy, June 2015

Aims of this evening:Raise awareness of:• Developments in teaching of numeracy• How parents can help • Numeracy resources used in school

Why we need to focus on Mental Methods (55 – 27)

Numeracy attainment: comparisons between 2011 and 2013

At both P4 and P7, there were statistically significantly lower levels of attainment in 2013 compared to 2011. At P4, 69 per cent of pupils performed well or very well in 2013, compared to 76 per cent in 2011. Similarly, at P7, 66 per cent of pupils performed well or very well in 2013 compared to 72 per cent in 2011. The difference in S2 performance between 2011 and 2013 was negligible.

Is there a better way?

• Problem 1A lady goes in to a bank each day to deposit her shop’s takings.On Monday she banks £198, Tuesday £87 and Wednesday £202.How much has she banked all together?

19887

+ 202___

Is there a better way?

• Problem 2A young boy has savings of £704. He wants to buy a computer costing £698. How much money will he have left?

704- 698

___

How are we developing Learning and Teaching?

Before AfterInfrequent mental maths sessions Frequent

Questions focussed on answers only Focus on ‘how’ the children found the answer- explaining thinking + strategies used

Written calculations/textbooks TextbooksGames and activities

Mental maths strategies Independent work Pair/group- dialogue

Unaware of all mental strategies- children and staff

Deeper understanding of strategies

Mental Agility

• The link between knowledge and strategy

Strategy Knowledge

Creates new knowledge through strategy

Provides the foundation for new strategies

What is knowledge?

• The information that can be recalled instantly (without calculation).

• Counting sequences, numbers before and after.• Recognising patterns (fingers, dots, dominoes,

tens frames…)• Place Value• Basic Facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication

and division)

Why basic facts?

• Instant recall of facts requires no thinking.• As the child builds their bank of basic facts

they are able to use these to solve problems with more complex numbers.

Strategy• Research has shown that in daily life at least

75% of all calculations are done mentally by adults.

• Children need a range of ways to solve problems – not just written calculations.

• Teachers need to teach strategies • Teachers work with smaller groups to see and

hear children’s thinking and strategies

Why do we need to develop mental strategies?

• http://numeracyacademy.edubuzz.org/

Parental engagement leads to raised attainment

Parental engagement leads to raised attainment

Nrich parents page• http://nrich.maths.org/8514#resources

Parentzone Supporting Numeracy

• http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/learningathome/supportingnumeracy/index.asp

Highland Numeracy Blog

https://highlandnumeracyblog.wordpress.com/

How is the school tackling this?• Providing a more active approach• Building a range of mental strategies• Developing number sense• Staff training and development• Investment in resources

Parent workshop

• Thursday 25th June at 1:45 – 2:15

• Assembly hall

• Come and see learning in action!

Have a go…

Any Questions