Use the Tracking children's learning charts to identify the knowledge, skills and understandings with which the child needs help.

Quickly run down the second column ('Errors and misconceptions'), to identify errors and misconceptions you think the child may have. Use the questions in the next column ('Questions to identify errors and misconceptions') to confirm your diagnosis.

If you already know the child well you will find this easy. You will be able to use your knowledge and review their written work and oral responses to gather evidence of the errors and misconceptions. If, however, you know very little about the child's mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding (for example, if s/he is relatively new to the school) you may need to do some preliminary assessment.

This will enable you to decide where in the associated knowledge and skills section of the chart you need to 'home in' with the more detailed 'Questions to identify errors and misconceptions'.