How to support Y3 DD with maths?

[crumpeteater]

DD has just started school in Year 3, having previously been home educated. We did do formal learning whilst home ed'ing, although we didn't particularly follow the national curriculum. Her reading & literacy skills are good and she's happily working in the top set of her mixed Y3/4 class, but she seems to be struggling with maths. She's been assessed as a level 2c (which I think means she's behind?), her teacher feels that she knows more than this but lacks confidence. We've been using the CGP maths workout books at home but they seem to move quite quickly and I think she needs more repetition to build her confidence. Any recommendations?

I have bought dice with many sides, some 12, some 10, some 8... we play with those either with board games, sometimes adding two dice together... also we have a few maths games, you practice times tables to move on etc (google Dr Mike Maths games).

I also use the 12 sided dice for times table practice, roll the dice multiply by the number on die.

I think something not written in a book, something game'ish or they are in control of is more fun and engaging.

Hi crumpeteater:

According to MN a 2c at start Y3 is slightly behind: www.mumsnet.com/learning/assessment/progress-through-national-curriculum-levels - the notional target is 2b by end of KS1.

But it isn't a disaster.

DD1 really struggled in KS1 (and I mean couldn't take 1 from 10) and we turned to an on-line tutorial. I found this helpful on several levels:

1. explanation of how to carry out math techniques was done in a quiet setting (her school has a tendency for noisy/ distracting classes) which DD1 could review if she didn't understand

2. opportunity at practice (school rarely provided homework - and when they do often it's very easy for her - i.e. endlessly colouring in train cars in KS1).

3. builds confidence (as DD1 began to understand how to subtract, how to carry or borrow, etc.. her confidence grew and this lead to more positive attitudes about maths).

Various of us have been on to sing praises of:

komodo maths: komodomath.com/

mathletics: www.mathletics.co.uk/

Maths Whizz: www.whizz.com/

Mathsfactor: www.themathsfactor.com/

Prices vary and they appeal to boys/ girls differently - so have an explore. All of these offer trials and test your child so start at their level.

My advice to you is really spend time with your DC over maths homework and work out whether the problem is calculation skills in all areas or whether they've hit something new (maybe multiplication) and now have come a bit unstuck.

Personally maths skills are so interlinked that I found it best to start an on-line tutorial. We opted for arithmetic school on mathsfactor. But others have sung praises of other sites (above) or just doing multiplication school on mathsfactor.

If the problem is multiplication: I've posted elsewhere on how to help your DC learn times tables: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/a1699415-How-to-get-DS-to-learn-his-times-tables

I highly recommend Woodland Junior school Maths Zone: resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/ - it takes a bit of research but just select the area of maths you want to help your child and then have a try of the various video games they have links to. You can usually identify a game which isn't too difficult but will give some practice.

Maths champs is also very useful games providing practice & banded by ages: www.mathschamps.co.uk/#home & it's free.

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As I said my DD1 was awful at maths by end KS1 and by joining an on-line tutorial and regularly practicing (and I do feel it is the regularly practicing bit that's important) she's improved beyond all recognition.

You don't get good at an instrument, dance or a sport without practice - so it does kind of make sense that practice (and good coaching) will help with maths.

HTH

Thank you both, especially pastsellbydate - those links are great, I'll have a look at some of the online tutorials with DD. I'd seen the Carol Voderman one but DD is deaf and I wasn't sure how much of the lessons she'd be able to follow or whether there would be enough written information for her to get by with.

I'm not too worried about her maths, she didn't do any formal maths lessons until about the age of 6/7 so she's caught up well from where she started already. I don't doubt she'll be able to catch up with school, I just don't want her to lose interest (or take too much of a knock to her fragile confidence) in the meantime.

Hi -
You have had a lot of useful help already, but I will just add my standard contribution to 'threads' like this. Some info may not be relevant, some duplicates 'links' you have been given, so just use anything from it that seems to meet DD needs:

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

Let me know if you want help on any specific topics, but the two 'links' should cover most things. BBC sites also are useful.

Squeebles app is good for number bonds and multiplication and division.

i bought a WHS workbook for year 3 and worked it with DD over the summer. I think by doing this, not only she's been improved a lot, but also myself since I know 1. what they are learning in Maths in year 3 and how deep they go on each topic;2. where are the areas exactly she is weak.

I think you probably can start from there and good luck, you will see the effect pretty soon, I can assure you.

I've only just seen that there are more replies, I'll have a proper read when I have more time