Maths
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How we learn in Otters
Maths
We aim to introduce the children to maths through the use of concrete, pictorial, abstract methods to give children a deeper understanding of how mathematics works.
The only way to achieve mastery is to build upon a solid foundation of conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. To ensure a deep level of understanding, it is necessary to move through the curriculum at a different pace to the method used in previous years.
The teaching of mathematics in Reception consists of daily maths workshops that focus on specific areas of the subject. These sessions focus on counting, using number names in the correct order and recognising numbers in the environment. The children learn through a range of practical contexts using images, objects, stories, rhymes and songs to engage and promote the importance of number. The children are introduced to the language of ‘more or less’ and start to recognise simple shapes from everyday objects. They begin to develop early problem-solving skills to encourage them to use maths outside of the classroom. In Reception, Maths teaching is based on the EYFS curriculum and supported by the use of White Rose 'Mastery Maths' resources.
Numicon and Numberblocks
Numicon is a fantastic resource, each flat plastic piece has a series of holes and each shape represents a different number from one to 10. This gives children an image of what each number looks like as well as understanding each numbers value. Numicon is used in Reception to teach many different mathematical concepts including number value, one more, one less, number bonds, odd and even numbers as well as teen numbers. Numberblocks are a fantastic set of characters that teach children the concept and value of each number as it is intorduced in turn. They later explore more mastery math concepts such as part - part - whole, multiplication and doubling and sharing.
Subitising
Subitising is the ability to look at a small number of objects and instantly recognise how many objects there are without needing to count. Subitising is an essential part of developing number sense in early years children by helping them to relate numbers to actual items or groups of items. It helps children to develop real understanding and confidence in maths. By providing children with an understanding of what numbers consist of it supports an understanding of part-part-whole relationships which helps children to separate and combine numbers and accelerates understanding of addition and subtraction.
