Maths learning and Teaching

Today, 9th March saw the parents meeting up for a mathematical session. Mrs Bell began by explaining how an Interactive Whiteboard in each of the classes has enhanced learning in all subjects. However, as there was no interactive whiteboard in the large study room, we managed with the old fashioned board and pens!
Before the pupils came for the lesson,the adults looked at the agenda for next week's residential at Pendrell Hall. The coach has been booked for 4 o'clock so everyone will need to be at school at that point. If it is convenient and parents want to take up the option, pupils may leave at 2.30 to get ready. The activities are all scheduled in, a clothing list has been given out and all we need to do is look forward!

After this quick chat, the pupils arrived for the maths lesson. As always we started by counting. The warm up activity was to make 2 and 3 digit numbers with the digits given. Mrs Bell explained the need to use 'Thinking Skills' to ensure that all possible answers had been found and that time was used efficiently. As the learning objective was quickly achieved, the group managed to move onto 4 digit numbers too. Beth used her logical thinking to work out how many 3 and 4 digit numbers we could make. Well done, Beth.

The main lesson was to use and apply mathematical knowledge to solving real life word problems. After talking through the steps of problem solving, the children worked with their parents to deal with the questions. Children in the higher set recorded beautifully, and worked out the answer to the first word problem. However, they needed reminding to use what they already knew to be more efficient. This reminder and the challenge to complete as many as possible got them working much faster! Some excellent speaking and listening went on during the session. James is a real star; he has made so much progress. His mum was heard to say, "Oh, alright, you do it your way." Good idea mum, as James has a number of different strategies that he uses for different types of activities.
There were different operations needed to solve the word problems as Mrs Bell wanted to share how children think with the parents. She thinks the lesson was very successful. Next week, we shall use laptops to look at the Pendrell Hall website and have a go at writing up the Blog as a group. That same evening we shall go for the residential family learning.