Hillside Primary School
Maths
Intent
The maths curriculum at Hillside Primary School will develop secure building blocks for the development of mathematical understanding, reasoning and problem solving. Children will develop skills in fluency, mathematical reasoning and problem solving, through well taught progressive steps following the long-term plan provided by White Rose Education. As part of their maths journey, children will build on their previous learning, both within and between year groups and be taught through an approach where we ‘pass the baton’ over to the children having adapted a 7-stage metacognition model for how our lessons are taught. Bespoke progression documents as well as White Rose Education support the planning of lessons in school. Children follow a concrete/ pictorial/ abstract (CPA) approach in their learning. They develop skills of resilience and determination in their work. Our intent is that children will aspire to, and be able to achieve, the National curriculum objectives for their year group. All children have positive attitudes towards maths, they will be engaged and motivated to be able to achieve their true potential.
Pass the batton and CPA approach (Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract)
At Hillside, and to create a positive learning environment, we have adapted a 7-stage metacognition model into what we call ‘passing the baton’. All classes follow this approach and use the model to support an ‘I do, we do, you do’ approach for children to enable them in making progress within maths.
Calculation and Vocabulary Progression Documents - Please click the links to see how our calculation policy progresses through school. These documents are used in conjunction with the White Rose Scheme of Learning to aid the planning and implementation of maths at Hillside.
Hillside Maths Progression Maps - The documents below show how skills in maths progress through school.
Homework and links to help at home
TTRockstars
Here at Hillside Primary School, our pupils have access to a fantastic online way to develop knowledge of times tables and division facts for all pupils from Y1-Y6. Times tables are recognised as essential to access many mathematical concepts and knowledge will be assessed at the end of Y4, by a National test.
When it comes to times tables, speed AND accuracy are important – the more facts your child remembers, the easier it is for them to do harder calculations. Times Table Rock Stars is a fun and challenging programme designed to help pupils master the times tables!
Log in to Times-Table Rockstars here: TTRS
When they log in, the children play games that challenge them to answer as many questions as possible in one minute. As children’s confidence with their times tables improves, they will see their progress in the number of questions they are able to answer in that minute. Children who know their times tables are challenged to improve the speed of their recall even further.
There are five game types:
- Garage – a single player game in which children will only be asked questions (multiplication and division) from the times tables that their teacher has set for them to practise.
- Studio – a single player game in which children will be asked questions on multiplication and division facts up to 12 x 12. This sets their overall ‘Rock Speed’.
- Soundcheck – a single player game in which children have five seconds to answer each of 20 questions. These questions are any multiplication fact up to 12 x 12 (no division). This is designed to prepare children for the Year 4 Times Tables Check that the Government introduced in 2020.
- Arena – a multi-player game in which children play against other children from their class or year group. They will only be asked questions (multiplication and division) from the times tables that their teacher has set for them to practise.
- Festival – a multi-player game in which children play against other children across the country. They will be asked questions on multiplication and division facts up to 12 x 12.
The children now have their log in details and can access Times Tables Rockstars through a web browser on any desktop/laptop PC, tablet or smart-phone (Flash is not needed so will work on Apple devices) or by downloading the free Times Tables Rockstars app to any Android or Apple device through the Andriod Play Store or Apple’s App Store.
It is recommended that children play daily. Just three games every day will have a great impact over time (but more than three is even better!). We will be celebrating the children’s achievements in school, so please encourage your child to play as much as possible.
