Maths in our room.

Hi everyone. 
Week 8 and I have  just  completed all the maths assessment for our class for term 1. You will appreciate this is an ongoing process especially at this age where your child will literally soak up new ideas through all their school and friendship interactions, play, work, games and family activities etc. we aim to address gaps , but time often isn't there for everything in quantity at school.
At this age the language and modelling of essential life skills like measurement, counting, patterns can be so easily reinforced by everyday things at home. As parents your input is invaluable here and really reinforces what we cover at school I have pasted into their homework books a little explanation about how we are covering simple fractions at the moment.

The idea of 1/2 and 1/4 (fractions) can be quite abstract and some children are struggling with this. Making a game of cutting cakes, pies, mashed potatoes in half and equally will help visualise this in their minds so when we come to make 2 equal amounts in number or measured amounts we have strong references to hang the idea on. Setting the table with pairs in cutlery. folding pairs of socks for example helps your child understand the idea of pairs, even numbers, counting in twos.

Counting items out like coins, buttons, lollies (backwards and forwards) helps their ability for sharing equally or fairly and  1;1 counting skills and consequently their addition and ultimately their subtraction skills.(who has been to a shop and been shortchanged because the person doesn't understand the idea of counting backwards or subtraction?) Yes it begins at this age.

Recognising shapes around them in their environment or art helps them with labels and spatial manipulation eg: puzzles (engineering!) problem solving and design skills. Their future ability to measure and plan projects for themselves gives them the ability to make sense of their world and put their own creative stamp on it.

Yes I agree number or (arithmetic) is important and the foundation of mathematical knowledge, however so much of our maths at this age has practical everyday implications and I am aware that many of the children today are technically savvy with I pads and P.C maths games and programmes.
 However they aren't exposed to the everyday practical skills which you and I may have been and these can only be truly understood by DOING! eg: Writing numerals is our present focus. We try to do these things at school... time is the key ingredient we constantly run out of though,  so to give your child the edge and understanding of the mathematical strands mentioned above can you encourage them to do a few of these things. They may make mistakes that's great its part of the learning process....just encourage the I can attitude and give it another go. Look at how they set up the room now and write and read with greater and greater precision. 
I do hope you get some insight or benefit from these suggestions above and a better idea of what we are doing.
P.S. Come and check out their Pizza fractions. 

Nadine McLaughlin