At Homerswood Primary and Nursery School, we believe that a good understanding of Mathematics is vital for every child's future.
Mathematics equips pupils with the uniquely powerful set of tools to understand and change the world. These tools include logical reasoning, problem solving skills and the ability to think in abstract ways.
Mathematics is important in every day life and is integral to all aspects of life.
With this in mind, we endeavor to ensure that children develop a healthy and enthusiastic attitude towards Mathematics that will stay with them forever.
Wow! What a day we have had! Who knew that a box of Smarties could create such fun and engaging maths work. Throughout the school, all children have participated in a variety of maths activities. These ranged from organising a party, to researching and creating posters on famous Mathematicians and not to forget many smarties challenges; estimating, grouping, counting, symmetry etc. In some year groups they have been been solving calculations in french too! Great work from everyone!
Today the children were set a challenge by Mrs Bennett. They had the numbers 2 and 3, and then had x + - ÷ symbols. They had to work out how they could make 1 then 2 then 3 then 4 and so on. However, they could only use the symbols and the numbers given. The children had lots of fun and were challenged in their thinking. Well done Math-Magicians!! :)
Today we started with working on the Maths challenge. We had a great conversation about how we would work it out and what the possible answers could be. This was then displayed on the display in the hall. We (in groups) then laid out cards face down and took turns to turn three cards over and worked out whether we could make a calculation with any of them. If we could then we would win the cards. The aim is so have the most cards at the end. Some great discussions and mathematical thinking. Well done as always Mathemagicians!
Today we experimented with our brand new Cuisenaire rods. I set the children a challenge of asking the children to show me some maths using them. The children were really creative and thought outside the box. Year 6 in particular were using them for fractions and looking at larger numbers. Well done everyone!
Today we looked a different patterns in wiggly lines. We found lots of different shapes and patterns to make. Some of us looked at Pascal's Triangle and found patterns in numbers - we then explained them to a partner. 34 children now on the register - Excellent!!!!
We now have 32 children on the register for Math-Magician Club - Well done everyone! This week we explored pattern and made different shapes out of square cards that have black lines on them. Some of us made squares; rectangles and we even extended ourselves to create a letter of the alphabet. Jack Jarvis made a 'J' out of the pattern cards. We decided 'S' was a very tricky letter to make. Miss Day came to visit our club too. Some of us had to sit with her to support her in her learning. We explained and taught her well.
Day 2 of our Maths club. The children started the session where they answered a series of statements about the number 54 e.g write it in words, is it a composite or prime number, if the sequence was add 5 what would the next 3 numbers be etc. A great starter which got us talking about numbers immediately.
On to the challenge of the day....we had a pack of cards with a number and a mathematical symbol (= + - ÷ x) or just a number. The children had to make as many calculations with the cards as they could. Their challenge was to use all of the number cards in accurate number sentences. It was lots of fun! Well done to Rhyleigh in Year 4 who used all of his cards with correct calculations - excellent!
This week in reception the children have been exploring number bonds to 8 using spiders legs. Lots of exciting Maths learning and enthusiastic children. Well done Reception!
Day 1 of Maths club and the children were faced with a count down conundrum - seeing who could get the closest to 154 using only the numbers on the board (and using them only once). This was tough but the children persevered and found a variety of ways to meet the target - Excellent work! They then had to figure out my magic trick using the playing cards. The children were amazed and spent 15minutes of focused work trying to figure out the order of the cards. Some children came very close. A challenge has been set to see who can figure it out and show us next week....Good Luck The children were engaged and excited about the activity whilst using mathematical terminology and working with their peers. Well done to all math-magicians. See you next week!
We held a very successful workshop all about Maths Fluency for parents of children in Years 1 & 2. The feedback was 100% positive. Everyone who attended felt that they would change the way they help their child with maths in the future and 100% would recommend attending a future event.
We do plan to run this workshop again in January as an evening session, but in the meantime, the power-point is attached.
Homerswood Mathematics Curriculum
Click on a year group to understand what they will be learning in mathematics during the year.
Level 6 Maths Workshop - Tuesday 13th January 2015
On Tuesday 13th January 2015 three children from Year 6 went to St. Albans with Mrs Cropley and spent the entire day working on various elements of the Level 6 Curriculum. The workshop was really practical and covered volume, algebra, n-th term and data handling. It was a brilliant day and EVERYONE, (including Mrs Cropley,) took loads of methods, ideas and increased understanding away with them at the end of the day!
Bumble the Bubbly Maths Clown Workshops!
On Thursday 6th March 2014 we held a maths information evening which focused on addition and subtraction. Parents of children from Year 1 through to Year 4 were invited to attend.
We had a full classroom of parents at the event, who all agreed that it was an informative evening, which gave useful information about methods that are currently used in class. Four teachers were at the event, giving parents the opportunity to talk with them after the session.
Please find above a link to the power-point that was shown during the evening.
Based on the positive feedback from the parents that attended, we now plan to run an event on multiplication and subtraction in the future.