Mumsnet Talk

Can we get Carol Vorderman on here to talk about maths in UK primary schools?

Following on from the channel 4 dispatch programme Kids Don't Count, I think it would be an a very interesting topic.

www.conservatives.com/Campaigns/The_Maths_Taskforce.aspx

I agree, and please please please can we dump this ridiculous "number line" business and go back to normal multiplication and division (carry the 1, etc)

sickof so called, the number line is a very very valuable tool for learning number in any way shape or form. It allows pupils to understand what they are actually doing to the number, rather than just 'carrying the one' with no idea why. Complex algorithms like carrying the one can be introduced later on, once the initial concept has been grasped.

I hate to say this but the reason primary maths teaching is so poor is lack of confidence among primary teachers, they are prescribed at from above with no room for felxibility (and spend years training kids to pass meaningless tests)

PS Carol Vordeman talking about this will be interesting, BUT there are so many other issues to address here.

oh please, she's the last person I'd listen to and read about here. get someone with some real credentials. she did lots of adverts for those cheapo loan companies a while back, lost all respect for her