Please give me your thoughts!

[2Creamteas]

Planning on doing a college course to train to be a TA in primary. I have a city and guilds numeracy level 2 from yonks ago! I've been told that this qualification is a GcSE equivalent grade A-C by college tutor. I know I'm going to struggle to do the maths if I was with upper ks2!! Been helping ds tonight with maths homework, he's in yr 5, found it difficult! The work was converting fractions to decimals!
Am I kidding myself? Can I do this? Are all TAs total brain boxes? A friend who is a TA has a cse grade 3 in maths but still manages to show yr 5/6 long division etc. She says not to worry as once the teacher explains it I will understand !! But will I ???! I'm wondering if this is a common worry ! I've been on the BBC bitesize website on ks2 maths jogging my memory but it's a slow and painful process! Ideally I would like to eventually work in ks1 as I already volunteer in reception and absolutely love it, but I realise that it might not work out that way! BTW I am mid 40s, it's now or never!!

[noblegiraffe]

Can you redo your maths GCSE? It's not ideal to have a TA who's not confident with numeracy.

Sign up to this website (free) and work through the videos. mathswebsite.com

[2Creamteas]

yes you are right, I should do my maths GCSE. Thank you

[ceebie]

Sounds like you just need to do some revision. I did some maths modules at university level, but I'm so rusty I struggle with basic maths these days! Just need to get back into it again. There are loads of revision resources online. Not sure if you necessarily need to take the GCSE exam?

[2Creamteas]

Thank you. The college tutor did say to me I already have a suitable qualification in maths, I know it's just lack of confidence in this area! My childhood maths lessons consisted of working my way through those plastic boxes called SMP ! I used to put back the ones I couldn't do !! I really need to work on this because I don't want it to hold me back.Would be grateful if anyone can suggest useful on line resources. Thanks again

[ceebie]

Can you ask your college tutor to recommend some revision resources? I think BBC bitesize is very good but your tutor should be able to support you by identifying the best way to get up to speed.

[ceebie]

And of course the website noble recommended above! Should be plenty to get you going!

[2Creamteas]

Thank you ☺

[CodyKing]

Fractions to decimals

Think in money

Eg 1/4 of £1 - easy 0.25
3/4 of £1 - 0.75

Etc

The teachers teach the class - you listen and apply - you soon pick it up!

Get some level 6 maths work books from WH Smiths

[Mishaps]

It sounds to me as if this is a case of poor teaching when you were at school that has left you lacking in confidence in maths. I think it is important that you take some steps to help you feel more confident before you face a class! - you would not want to convey that to the children through your body language or whatever.

There are some good suggestions here as to how you can get up to speed and feel more confident with it - I wish you lots of luck and hope you achieve your ambition.