Maths
The teaching of Mathematics at Finmere School follows the statutory guidance of the National Curriculum. Details of the curriculum can be found on The Warriner Trust Website.
In addition, we strive to endow children with a love and enjoyment of exploring Mathematical pattern, seeking and exploring and gaining a sense of awe and wonder of the importance of Maths in our natural and man-made world. In Maths lessons, children are encouraged to develop Growth Mindset skills such as perseverance, and resilience which are crucial for later learning and life skill.
Mental Maths
Revisiting mental work at different times during a daily maths lesson or even devoting a whole lesson to it from time to time, helps children to generate confidence in themselves and a feeling that they control calculations rather than the calculation controlling them. Opportunities should be made to introduce short periods of mental arithmetic and number facts in other lessons or outside lessons for example when changing lessons. Regular short practice is essential – 'if you don’t use it you will end up losing it!’ Teaching Children to Calculate Mentally - Department for Education 2010
The daily maths lesson contains a rich variety of mental maths skills. Children enjoy learning key ‘snappy facts’ through songs, games, quizzes and practise with their partners.
We actively encourage parent support with learning at home. Please see the 'snappy facts' overview grid to find out the skill or fact you could help your child improve this term.
Multiplication Tables Facts
Children are encouraged to begin learning their tables as soon as they are able to count in groups.
The table below gives a rough idea which age particular tables are introduced.
| Year | Table/group counting focus |
|---|---|
| EYFS | No tables – children practise counting in 1s, 2s and 10s |
| 1 | Begin to learn 2x and 10x tables continue counting forward/back in 1s, 2s, 10s |
|
2 |
Recall the 2x, 5x and 10x tables with increasing speed and accuracy Begin to link related division facts |
|
3 |
Recall the 3x 4x and 8x tables with increasing speed and accuracy Keep revising tables taught in previous years (1x 2x 5x 10x 3x,4x 8x) Begin to link related division facts |
|
4 |
Learn 6x,7x,9x,11x and 12x tables facts and related division facts Summer pupils sit the Term National Multiplication tables online check (please see the government parent information leaflet) |
|
5 & 6 |
Keep practising all tables and related division facts. Begin to use tables facts to recall decimal multiplication facts and multiples of 10, 100 and 1,000. Learn divisibility rules. |
At the end of Year 4, children take part in the National Multiplication Tables online test.
This online assessment consists of twenty 5 second multiplication facts which children answer using iPads. The results are reported to County. The test data is also used to identify children requiring further support consolidating tables knowledge in Year 5.