Numicon

[dontknowwhat2callmyself]

Has anyone used Numicon with their Dc. There seems to be a new set out for 7-9 year olds which I don't remember seeing when I bought the Numicon at home 1 to 1 (for approx 5 yr olds) a couple of years ago.

DD struggles a bit with maths and when we used the pre schooler kit it seemed to help with number bond, pattern recognition et c.... so I was just looking for any feedback for the set aimed at older children.

[hydeparkhottie]

We love numicon in my house...but I'm using the set targetted for 5-7 year olds. So I will be watching this thread with interest.

[junkfoodaddict]

Mum icon is used by lots of schools throughout the year groups. We used it last year with KS1 children as an intervention strategy. It worked in 90% of cases enabling children to achieve a level 2, in a couple of instances children went from a 1B to 2A in two terms.
Speak to your school. They may have a better insight into the numicon for older children. Unfortunately I don't as it was only introduced last year but I highly recommend it for what I have seen.

[Ferguson]

I was a TA / helper in primary schools for over twenty years, and this is my standard advice to help children UNDERSTAND Numeracy - note, understanding is vital in due course to really keep 'on top' of maths as it gets more advanced as the child gets older:

?QUOTE:

Practical things are best for grasping number concepts - bricks, Lego, beads, counters, money, shapes, weights, measuring, cooking.

Do adding, taking away, multiplication (repeated addition), division (sharing), using REAL OBJECTS as just 'numbers' can be too abstract for some children.

Number Bonds of Ten forms the basis of much maths work, so try to learn them. Using Lego or something similar, use a LOT of bricks (of just TWO colours, if you have enough) lay them out so the pattern can be seen of one colour INCREASING while the other colour DECREASES. Lay them down, or build up like steps.

So:

ten of one colour none of other
nine of one colour one of other
eight of one colour two of other
seven of one colour three of other

etc, etc

then of course, the sides are equal at 5 and 5; after which the colours 'swap over' as to increasing/decreasing.

To learn TABLES, do them in groups that have a relationship, thus:

x2, x4, x8

x3, x6, x12

5 and 10 are easy

7 and 9 are rather harder.

Starting with TWO times TABLE, I always say: "Imagine the class is lining up in pairs; each child will have a partner, if there is an EVEN number in the class. If one child is left without a partner, then the number is ODD, because an odd one is left out."

Use Lego bricks again, lay them out in a column of 2 wide to learn 2x table. Go half way down the column, and move half the bricks up, so that now the column is 4 bricks wide. That gives the start of 4x table.

Then do similar things with 3x and 6x.

With 5x, try and count in 'fives', and notice the relationship with 'ten' - they will alternate, ending in 5 then 10.

It is important to try and UNDERSTAND the relationships between numbers, and not just learn them 'by rote'.

I am sorry it seems complicated trying to explain these concepts, but using Lego or counters should make understanding easier.

An inexpensive solar powered calculator (no battery to run out!) can help learn tables by 'repeated addition'. So: enter 2+2 and press = to give 4. KEEP PRESSING = and it should add on 2 each time, giving 2 times table.

There are good web sites, which can be fun to use :

//www.ictgames.com/

//www.resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/index.html

UNQUOTE

[fuzzpig]

I had no idea there was a new set for older children - I'll definitely have a look. Thanks for posting this!

[EmeraldIce]

Sorry, I haven't used the older pack, but it may well be that you can make good use of the at home kit with a few extras that could work out much cheaper.
global.oup.com/education/product/9780198389293?region=international
Is this the kit you're talking about?
Also, it looks like it doesn't include any user guides in this kit - just the apparatus.

[dontknowwhat2callmyself]

Thanks everyone - Junk food my dd managed a level 2b at the end of Y2 and I'm sure Numicon helped as she was struggling at the beginning of the Y2, hence why I'm thinking about the 7-9 yr kit.

Ferguson thanks for the tips especially the calculator one will definitely being trying that!

Emerald yes that's the kit. I did wonder about the instructions and then kind of assumed it would come with them but I think your probably right in that there doesn't seem to be a booklet included - I will need to find out. The best thing about the early years kit was the lovely instruction booklet telling you exactly how to teach which is really what I need as teaching doesn't come easy to me