The teaching and learning of mathematics at The Gattons sets its foundations in the belief that Mathematics should be rewarding and enjoyable. It is the intention, therefore, that through the organisation of classroom activities which are varied and stimulating the work should bring satisfaction and success for all children taking them to the limits of their mathematical abilities.  We aim to develop pupils’ mathematical fluency and give them confidence in their mathematical ability.

The teaching of mathematics is based on the National Curriculum Programmes of Study for Mathematics, in conjunction with further school resources including White Rose, Numicon, a mathematics system with a multi-sensory approach to arithmetic teaching for the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.
 
The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:

• become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
• reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language
• can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.

The children are given many opportunities for practical work because it is through doing this that the most effective learning takes place. In the early stages of teaching mathematics there is little recorded work. As the children move through the school they learn to record their work neatly and logically and to make mental calculations speedily and accurately.
 
Broadly, children learn to handle numbers with confidence using mental and written methods; they begin to use and appreciate the power of pattern and order to help develop their mathematical progress; they acquire mathematical skills to solve real-life problems; they learn to investigate and communicate effectively using the language of mathematics and finally the children develop a confidence in their own mathematical abilities.
 
The children are given many opportunities for practical work because it is through doing this that the most effective learning takes place. In mathematics four different areas are taught:

• Using and applying mathematics
• Number
• Measurement
• Geometry

Using & Applying Mathematics

Using and applying mathematics is incorporated into all areas of the mathematics curriculum and not taught separately. The children are taught to ask questions, predict, explain and justify their ideas and to discuss their work using appropriate mathematical language. The children are taught to record their work in an organised way and to check their work.

Number - number and place value

The children are taught to:

• count in steps of 2, 3, and 5 from 0, and in 10s from any number, forward and backward
• recognise the place value of each digit in a two-digit number (10s, 1s)
• identify, represent and estimate numbers using different representations, including the number line
• compare and order numbers from 0 up to 100; use <, > and = signs
• read and write numbers to at least 100 in numerals and in words
• use place value and number facts to solve problems

 
Number – Addition and Subtraction

The children are taught to:

• solve problems with addition and subtraction:
  • using concrete objects and pictorial representations, including those involving numbers, quantities and measures
  • applying their increasing knowledge of mental and written methods
• recall and use addition and subtraction facts to 20 fluently, and derive and use related facts up to 100
• add and subtract numbers using concrete objects, pictorial representations, and mentally, including:
  • a two-digit number and 1s
  • a two-digit number and 10s
  • 2 two-digit numbers
  • adding 3 one-digit numbers
• show that addition of 2 numbers can be done in any order (commutative) and subtraction of 1 number from another cannot
• recognise and use the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction and use this to check calculations and solve missing number problems.

 
Number – multiplication and division

The children are taught to:

• recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables, including recognising odd and even numbers
• calculate mathematical statements for multiplication and division within the multiplication tables and write them using the multiplication (×), division (÷) and equals (=) signs
• show that multiplication of 2 numbers can be done in any order (commutative) and division of 1 number by another cannot
• solve problems involving multiplication and division, using materials, arrays, repeated addition, mental methods, and multiplication and division facts, including problems in contexts

Number – fractions

The children are taught to:

• recognise, find, name and write fractions  ,  ,  and  of a length, shape, set of objects or quantity
• write simple fractions, for example  of 6 = 3 and recognise the equivalence of and 

Measurement

The children are taught to:

• choose and use appropriate standard units to estimate and measure length/height in any direction (m/cm); mass (kg/g); temperature (°C); capacity (litres/ml) to the nearest appropriate unit, using rulers, scales, thermometers and measuring vessels
• compare and order lengths, mass, volume/capacity and record the results using >, < and =
• recognise and use symbols for pounds (£) and pence (p); combine amounts to make a particular value
• find different combinations of coins that equal the same amounts of money
• solve simple problems in a practical context involving addition and subtraction of money of the same unit, including giving change
• compare and sequence intervals of time
• tell and write the time to five minutes, including quarter past/to the hour and draw the hands on a clock face to show these times
• know the number of minutes in an hour and the number of hours in a day

Geometry – properties of shapes

The children are taught to:

• identify and describe the properties of 2-D shapes, including the number of sides, and line symmetry in a vertical line
• identify and describe the properties of 3-D shapes, including the number of edges, vertices and faces
• identify 2-D shapes on the surface of 3-D shapes, [for example, a circle on a cylinder and a triangle on a pyramid]
• compare and sort common 2-D and 3-D shapes and everyday objects

 
Geometry – position and direction

The children are taught to:

• order and arrange combinations of mathematical objects in patterns and sequences
• use mathematical vocabulary to describe position, direction and movement, including movement in a straight line and distinguishing between rotation as a turn and in terms of right angles for quarter, half and three-quarter turns (clockwise and anti-clockwise)   

Statistics

• interpret and construct simple pictograms, tally charts, block diagrams and tables
• ask and answer simple questions by counting the number of objects in each category and sorting the categories by quantity
• ask-and-answer questions about totalling and comparing categorical data