1. Maths Parent Workshop

2. The new curriculum and Math Mastery
The new curriculum states we need to go in greater depth into mathematical concepts rather than move on to the next concept or a higher skill.
We have been looking at a new way of looking at maths and have been encouraging pupils to master and deepen their understanding by:
showing their thoughts or concepts in a different way,
understanding relationships between different concepts,
make comparisons,
explaining why something is wrong (what misconception has been shown),
showing their understanding through an investigation,
explaining what they have done and why?
This is to stop children moving on to new concepts before they have fully understood other more basic principles. It aims to give children are more solid understanding of maths when they start secondary school.
showing their thoughts or concepts in a different way – through concrete objects, pictures, using examples, using every way it could be shown or seen.
understanding relationships between different concepts – where a skill is used in another area of maths and the use of prior knowledge.
make comparisons – where the skill used may be similar or adapted in a different mathematical concept
explaining why something is wrong (what misconception has been shown),
showing their understanding through an investigation- using their mathematical skill or practicing the skill of problem solving.
explaining what they have done and why?

3. Factual and Procedural fluency VS conceptual understanding.
Both of these are important.
We need to be fluent in number facts and the methods that we use to calculate.
We also need to be have conceptual understanding by linking maths to real life situations, understanding why we do things and making links between other mathematical topics.
Factual fluency – number bonds, multiplication and division facts.
Procedural fluency – How to calculate methods eg. Column method, fraction of a number, multiplying 3 digit by 2 digit numbers.
Conceptual understanding – word problems, links to real life, showing concept in different ways, investigations.
We help children develop their abstract understanding of maths by allowing them plenty of time to use concrete resources during the early years and KS1, they then move on to using pictures before working simply with the abstract numbers.

4. Mathematical talk and explanations.
Try the investigation.
It is not important if you get the right answer it is important that you talk about what you are doing and why?
Think of the skills you are using.
What skills did you use?
Working on investigations such as these help children to develop their reasoning and understanding by working systematically through the question, trying different approaches and applying taught skills to it. They teach us some valuable life skills too; perseverance, problem solving, checking our answers and explaining our reasoning to others.

5. Example SATs question. KS1 KS2
The maths investigations done, help with out mathematical reasoning, which then helps us when answering maths reasoning questions in the end of Key Stage SATs tests.

6. How to support your child with maths at home
Times tables are still as important as ever: keep practicing them!
Talk about maths at home; weighing out when you’re cooking, counting money, measuring height on a growth chart, bed and breakfast times, etc.
Here are some links to websites that have some good maths games:
Good apps:
King of Maths
Maths Kid
Times tables help your children recall number facts quickly and enable them to concentrate on solving problems or investigations rather than working out times tables.

7. Any Questions?
Thank you for coming.