Question for maths teachers

[MDJ79]

This is largely aimed at maths teachers but if any parents want to chip in too, that would be great!

Thinking about KS2 in particular, if you could guarantee that the kids you teach would be spending 15-20 minutes home learning, three times per week, what would you want them to be doing during this time? Are there specific activities that you feel underpin their maths learning at this stage?

Not a teacher, have had one kid through ks2 sats.

I would
Make sure they are fast on all times tables

Depending on year group? Y5/6 i would get them to do both maths sats as practise and to identify gaps.
If not just work through the relevant year group cgp maths book

I think using maths in real life situations when it comes organically is better than sitting there for 20 minutes at the table. So, if you’re at the shop, ask them how much change they’re going to get if they buy X or buy X and Y and make it easier/harder depending on their age. Ask them not just what time it is but how long until 5 o clock, 7.20 etc. compare the times on your analogue and digital clocks. If you’re giving out slices of pizza or sharing out chocolate ask them what the fraction is and how much each person will get. Just stuff like that, little and often. Don’t force it in, just make it part of the day so it becomes meaningful. I find children are often good at things like times tables and division but can’t apply it to problem solving one or two step word questions.

Thanks! What I’m trying to work out is how important automaticity is at this stage (i.e knowing the answer without having to think about it) and what sort of revision/practice is best to achieve this.

Knowing times tables is a great example! How do you get them fast on this?

I think rapid recall of times tables is the most useful really. Apps like times tables rockstars are great for this

Times table and the corresponding division facts, definitely.

Not a teacher but agree with @Frozenberries . Everyday maths including time, distance, money, weights and measures. Times tables and number bonds i.e. add x to y to make 10 or 100 then decimals to 0.1. To help random number generation you could roll two die or get some of those 10 or 20 sided dice gamers use.

Times tables
Adding using column method
Subtracting using column method
Multiplying by 10,100, 1000
Division as reversing times tables

Maths teacher.

Yes it is important to use maths in everyday life but if I was going to do practicing that's what I'd practice.

The Schofield and sims mental arithmetic series are good at ks2.

www.schofieldandsims.co.uk/key-stage-2-mental-arithmetic/

Times tables
Number bonds and partitioning
multiplying and dividing by powers of 10 including into decimals.
Being 100% accurate in all 4 formal written methods

I teach yr 6 maths

This is all super helpful stuff!

Other than Times Tables Rockstars, are there any other games or resources you use/recommend to help with quick recall/fluency of general maths principles at this point?

I am a parent but basically repetition. I taught mine before Times Table Rockstars became a thing so I made flashcards and started them off in sequence so 1 x 5, 2 x 5 to learn it, then on testing I mixed up the pack and if they got one wrong I would put in back into the pile to ask as the next but one, so 3x5, wrong, 8x5 correct, 3x5 again and then back into the ask pile again to ensure they knew it.

It isn't about working it out, it is knowing what the answer is. We know the words to songs it is the same thing, we just learn what word comes next.

I agree with the every day maths thing, times tables are the most useful, but also counting on, we had plastic money, start with 10p add 2p add 5p add 20p. Then add on larger numbers add 100, add 1000 then take away numbers. Mental maths is so important. Understanding 352 is 300, 50 and 2.

Understand conversions from cm to mm to m. Use things they can see, measuring jugs, tape measures. In school they use physical counters so children can see it rather than it all being imaginary.

I actually saw an explanation of a maths problem recently and thought if I had been taught to see it like that my life would have been so much easier.

2 (2x +1) = 3 x +8 and it blew my mind how easy it was to teach this,

www.tiktok.com/@superteacherguy/video/7389285628644445486?_r=1&_t=8pubBHj05PE

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
This website has lots of things to try out.
we use this push the button game sometimes at the end of a session to practice speed responses.

Absolutely this!

And yes times tables, but we work these on naturally with sharing our sweets, doing Lego, etc rather than making them sit down to do a work book or something

Also understanding fractions, decimals and fractions. Followed by conversations and equivalents.

Sorry percentages!

I think times tables and number bonds are great, but also an appreciation for magnitudes of numbers so they can start to question answers they get from calculations. Simple things like, estimation of the cost of 3 prices before they work out actual cost, roughly estimate measurements, could be using comparisons, eg. That table is 60cm wide, how wide is this one? I would also start to teach what basic compound measures mean, ie 50mph means in 1 hour you travel 50 miles, so could do 100 miles in 2 hours.

Automaticity frees up working memory to focus on other aspects of a question so is important though the ability to check if you recall correctly eg by knowing 10-1 is the same as subtracting 9 us also important.Agree with other posts-practical Maths-chn don't look in a local paper to check cinema listing's or buy a 10p mix anymore so doubling quantities in a recipe is helpful for Maths problems and also understanding why we learn.Even with learning number facts snd times tables, engaging with an adult or peer can be more motivating and meaningful than an app.CPG books can be useful for reinforcement though some children gave done endless books and sheets whilst missing out on the natural interaction involved in being quizzed on Maths by an elder!