Mathematics
Welcome to the Maths section of our website.
At Thelwall Junior School, our aim is to equip all pupils with the confidence and the skills to think mathematically and solve a range of mathematical problems. We aim to build on children’s existing maths skills, enhancing and developing their fluency with numbers and mathematical reasoning. We encourage a love of maths and help children see mathematics that surrounds them everyday, through enjoyment development of their key life skills in this subject.
Below you will find the progression of skills for the maths National Curriculum. This outlines the different topic areas/strands of mathematics and the year group that your child will learn each different one. You will also be able to see how key skills progress throughout primary school, for example what element of 'fractions' your child will learn each year.
Key Skills
The three aims of the National Curriculum (Fluency, Reasoning and Problem Solving) feature in each maths lesson.
At Thelwall Junior School, we recognise that regular practice of mental and written arithmetic skills is important in order to keep calculation skills fresh. Therefore, we commence each of our maths sessions with a ‘Daily Arithmetic’ followed by a ‘Problem of the Day.’ The arithmetic focuses on 5-10 calculations which develop children’s skills in written calculations. The Problem of the Day focuses on further developing children’s mathematical thinking and reasoning. They are encouraged to talk mathematically and discuss their approaches to tackling maths problems.
Below you will find Arithmetic Skills Overview for each yeargroup. This is a useful document which outlines expectations in arithmetic for each year group and examples of each for you to see in practice. The arithmetic document has also been included for year 2 so you can see the transition of skills from the end of KS1 to the start of KS2.
Multiplication
Children are expected to know all their timestable facts up to 12x12 by the end of year 4. They should also know their corresponding division facts. When it comes to times tables, speed AND accuracy are important – the more facts your child remembers, the easier it is for them to do harder calculations. Times Table Rockstars is a fun and challenging programme designed to help pupils master the times tables. To be a Times Table Rockstar you need to answer any multiplication fact up to 12×12 in less than 3 seconds! We are very proud of our children's scores on this and the speed at which they are able to calculate and recall timestable facts.
A times table test is became statutory for year 4 children from the school year 2019-2020, with a greater focus set on children being fluent with their times tables. Therefore, Times Table Rockstars is a perfect way to approach this in a fun, exciting and engaging way. On this website, children will be able to 'times table battle' against each other, and even challenge teachers and school staff to a battle! The children love this! We are very proud of our children's scores on this and the speed at which they are able to calculate and recall timestable facts.
Please find below the Parent Handbook for Times Tables Rockstars. This contains all the information about logging on and how the website works. Additionally, please see the document below regarding the year 4 Times Table Check.
How You Can Help Your Child With Mathematics at Home
Below you will find the powerpoint created by Miss Critchley and used in the 'How to Help at Home' Maths workshop.