When teaching how to add, a key step is to learn the number bonds of ten- all of the different ways to make ten (e.g. 8+2, 6+4),  otherwise known as “friends of ten”.  This is such an important step, that no matter how old the child is, it should be learnt and practiced till fluent. […]

The Times Table Mastery Mats in this post are for the children who are fluent in at least their 1-5, and 10 times table and division facts. These mats embed times tables within other areas of maths, for example fractions, measuring, and perimeter of shapes, so it will strengthen and deepen their understanding of other […]

The first set of these worksheets worked well for what I intended. When I used them in class, there was some serious thinking about addition and subtraction relationships and number bonds. I have made another set as we know fluency doesn’t come from one lesson! I haven’t changed the format as the style of questions […]

Drills- but a bit more. I have disguised the bog standard drills. Each section varies in style, even though every question still targets addition and subtraction skills. These worksheets can be challenging if seeing this format for the first time, so I do recommend partnering with the child first so that they understand what is […]

We have already been working on the times tables each week for a portion of the lessons at the beginning. Some students have taken the responsibility upon themselves and have made great progress, a few have finished learning all of them, and some kind of know the 2, 5, and 10. So with this mixed […]

Recently we have been doing lessons on different types of angles, extensively banged on about and done practical activities on right angles, and practical activities on parallel and perpendicular lines, as all of these concepts are needed to be able to classify and explain quadrilaterals. It is totally worth spending time on this topic as […]