Maths Inspirations: Year 1/P2: Thinking By Numbers: Teacher's Notes
Maths inspirations Series
What’s inside...
Each of the six books in the Thinking by Numbers series provides clear and practical teaching strategies to help develop children's thinking skills through mathematics. The series focuses on the five main thinking skills outlined by the National Curriculum - information processing skills, reasoning skills, enquiry skills, creative thinking skills, evaluation skills - in addition to supporting development of memory/perception skills and metacognition. Thinking by Numbers offers a wealth of ideas for inspiring lessons and activities, supported by photocopiable problems through which children can apply the skills learned. Each book includes guidance on turning any lesson into a thinking lesson, how to apply thinking skills and teaching strategies across the curriculum, and advice on formative assessment.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What is your favorite number you learned about today and why?
How do numbers help us in everyday tasks?
Can you think of a fun game that involves using numbers?
Why do you think understanding numbers is important?
How would you explain today's math concept to a friend?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate math concepts to real-life situations, making the abstract ideas more tangible. Ask open-ended questions that allow your child to express thoughts freely, fostering a deeper understanding. Celebrate their successes, however small, to build confidence. Use everyday activities like cooking or shopping as opportunities for practical math applications. Listen actively, showing genuine interest in their responses to promote a love for learning.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Basic Math Concepts
Explanation: The book introduces young learners to fundamental mathematical ideas such as counting, addition, and subtraction in an engaging and comprehensible manner.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these basic math skills in daily activities like counting toys, sharing snacks equally among friends, or setting a table.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Explanation: Various activities and examples in the book encourage children to think critically and solve problems step by step.
Real-World Application: This skill helps children in making decisions and solving real-life problems, such as figuring out how many apples they need to buy or finding various ways to solve a puzzle.
Example Lesson: Following Instructions
Explanation: The book provides structured tasks that require children to carefully read and follow instructions to complete the exercises.
Real-World Application: This ability enhances a child's capacity to follow classroom rules, understand game instructions, and effectively complete household chores.