maths problem; please help!

[Suki2]

DS has just failed an entrance test for an academic school because his maths didn't meet the required standard. This surprised me as he is above average according to his school reports and set in present school. Apparently the problem was worded problems; he couldn't apply the maths he can do. He can resit in a few months. How do I help him? Would be very grateful for suggestions of any websites or books. His basic maths is fine! He'll be starting year 5 in September.

You could try the Nrich website:

nrich.maths.org/frontpage

We really love the Murderous Maths series of books as well.

Try Math on Target (or Target Math) for Y5 and Y6 - they have sections on word problems at different levels of difficulty.

Also - check Schofield and Sims website - they have various math workbooks, including word problems - they call it Problem Solving.

Nrich is great, BUT it's best for fun math extension work. In you case, you need targeted practice.

Good luck!

employ a tutor for a few months, makes one heck of a difference, well worth the money - I tutor maths from time to time - nothing helps a child as much as a person who can get to the root of what the problem is and winkle out a way to put it right, one to one. I have never been asked to tutor a child that I could not help - that is why we cost so much

(most people here hire tutors for grammar entry tests)

Bedtime maths app is good for a new wordy maths problem every day and a few different levels of questions to build up confidence

Look on the Mathematical Association website for the past papers for the Primary Maths Challenge - there will probably be 3 or 4 you can download. All sorts of interesting problem solving/worded problems that require the child to apply their knowledge.