My maths lessons aren't good (mixed year group class)

[Bumbleclat]

I work in a 3 mixed year group class and really hate the new scheme that we use to teach maths.

I have several TAs who each have an ability group and the scheme of work my school has bought into is very over complicated and confusing.

I feel the children are not being taught what they need to be and at the level or pace required to meet expectations.

I have 5 maths groups simultaneously each day so if I didn't use the scheme that would mean planning 25 lessons a week 100 lessons a month with resources, differentiation, independent practice opportunities and recording into books -not to mention assessment.

Hence why my school has a scheme of work but it's all irrelevant.

For example, I'm now 5 weeks into the term and the SOW hasn't once touched on any arithmetic whatsoever.

I gave my year 2s the SATs practise paper and even the brightest of them didn't have the faintest idea how to access more than 6 of the 25 questions.

This makes me want to teach according to the test which I know is very unfashionable these days but how else will they learn?

Meanwhile I've got to plan for 4 TAs to deliver lessons for my other groups it's just TOO much.

Is anyone else in a similar position?

Thank you.

[HopeClearwater]

Is it one of the new Asian schemes?

[toomuchicecream]

What is the new scheme? Read this: www.ncetm.org.uk/resources/49022 and this: www.babcock-education.co.uk/ldp/mixedagemastery

And feel free to pm/email me more specific questions - I know we've shared ideas before, and I'm more than happy to help again. I remember how hard it was teaching year 1 and year 2 together, and as a primary maths mastery specialist, I've had some superb training and so have a wealth of great resources/ideas I'm happy to share.

[toomuchicecream]

A SOW that hasn't touched on arithmetic yet won't be one of the Singapore/Shanghai ones - they have a very strong focus on number facts and fluency.

[rollonthesummer]

It's not Abacus, is it?! We used that and it was dreadful. In the end, so many people moaned that SLT scrapped it.

Why, if it's a three form intake, are you planning for your set AND 4 TAs?

[RubyJack]

The SATs papers are difficult for many at the END of Y2.They won't have covered the work after five weeks in Y2.

[TheTyrannyOfMAGENTA]

Not doing any arithmetic by now seems dreadful.

[goingmadinthecountry]

Which 3 year groups? I have 3/4 and the range of ability is huge, plus we're still working on Y3 being more independent learners. My plan in theory is similar to that Babcock mixed year example toomuch linked to. My plan has to go out of the window from time to time ...

toomuch very helpfully pointed me in the direction of White Rose Maths Hub, and I'm using materials from Maths - No Problem to help with my planning.

What scheme is your school using? I'd have a bit of a concern about so much TA led work - think the fact my new Y3s had an adult with them all the time on a 1:5 ish basis is one of the main reasons they are so needy. It's a very hard situation, particularly at this time of the year. I wouldn't even attempt to show them Y2 SATS stuff after 5 weeks - there's a long way to go!

Manipulatives are really boosting confidence with my new Y3s - not convinced they used them enough last year.

[hollytom]

Not sure about your scheme but as a Y2 teacher we have definitely not looked at SATs questions yet far too early