Supporting children with gaps in their mathematical understanding

A new Primary National Strategy publication, including extensive teaching materials, to support further development in working with children who have gaps in their mathematical understanding is now available from the Primary Strategy website.

A focus on the most commonly occurring types of mathematical difficulties
The materials focus on number and calculation, tackling areas such as understanding the structure of number and operations between numbers. Problem-solving is integrated and exemplified in the materials, and opportunities are provided for children to develop mathematical vocabulary.

An individualised approach based on the particular areas the child finds difficult
The materials reflect best practice in assessment for learning and include tracking children’s learning charts that support the identification of the particular knowledge, skills and understanding with which the child needs help.

Relatively small amounts of individualised intervention
The teaching activities provide brief, focused teaching sessions, which make it possible for the child to benefit more fully from whole-class teaching. Where appropriate, the activities finish with related activities for whole-class use in order to reinforce individual learning and promote inclusive practice.

The pack contains:

• two sets of A4 booklets, one focusing on common errors/misconceptions in addition and subtraction, and the second on common errors/misconceptions in multiplication and division. The booklets contain teaching materials, referenced by year group to the key objectives in the National Numeracy Strategy Framework for teaching mathematics;
• an A4 booklet, Resources and index of games. This booklet contains lists of mathematics equipment and everyday materials referenced in the teaching materials, photocopiable resource sheets, and an index of games contained in the teaching materials;
• an A4 booklet, Using the pack. Within this are:
• management guidance (whole-school and classroom);
• tracking children’s learning charts for addition and subtraction, and multiplication and division;
• a professional development session to introduce Wave 3 mathematics support with particular reference to the use of the Primary National Strategy Wave 3 mathematics pack;
• an interactive CD-ROM providing direct access from electronic versions of the tracking charts to the teaching materials in pdf and Word document formats. This enables the teaching materials to be easily adapted.