MATHEMATICS

In mathematics the staff try to teach our children not only the basic skills of computation (arithmetic) but the principles of mathematical thinking. Many of the concepts formed in the mathematics lesson will help the child with everyday problems.

It is no longer sufficient for a child to be proficient at mechanical arithmetic. It is useful to know the table facts, to be able to work out sums quickly and accurately and to be able to carry out transactions with money. However in our computerised society it is becoming more and more essential for a child to learn to interpret what he/she sees, to be critical of the facts and to understand the mathematical and scientific principles upon which our society is based. The child is surrounded by a technology which is constantly changing and if he/she is to be able to cope with this he/she will need to possess a kind of mathematical literacy which was not necessary a few decades ago.

Published mathematics schemes are used throughout the school (Ginn Mathematics in Key Stage 2 and Heinemann Mathematics in Key Stage 1) but this is supplemented with additional material to meet fully the requirements of the National Curriculum.

Key Stage 1

When a child first comes to school he/she needs to be able to recognise and write numbers. Children are introduced to this in many different ways through progressive stages. Activities which he/she will meet at this stage will include:- attempting jigsaws at increasing levels of difficulty, all sorts of matching games involving shapes, colours and numbers, tracing shapes and figures, copying from books or workcards provided by the teacher.

All these activities help to develop the skill of differentiation - of being able to discriminate small shapes and detect differences of detail, which are essential subskills in the mastery of reading and mathematics.

In the first years of his/her school life at Woodside a child will be introduced to the following activities:-

1. Sorting and comparing

2. Arranging objects in order (of length, size, height, value, etc.)

3. Counting

4. One-to-one correspondence, e.g. counting from one to ten and being able to point to each of ten objects separately while counting

5. Practice in the 4 rules (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) of number, measurement, weight, capacity and money

6. Recognising shapes and simple fractions

7. Learning to tell the time

8. Showing information by means of graphs, pictures. etc.

Key Stage 2

The work carried out in the juniors is an extension of the mathematical activities begun at infant level.

Our main mathematics scheme provides ample practice in the four rules and emphasises the importance of computation skills without detriment to the wider aspects of Mathematics which promote creativity and lateral thinking. Children also undertake a range of practical and investigative activities to address aspects of Using and Applying Mathematics (Attainment Target 1 in National Curriculum Mathematics).