Maths Inspirations: Year 2/P3: Thinking by Numbers: Teacher's Notes
#2 in Maths inspirations Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
The Thinking by Numbers series consists of six books that provide 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, and evaluation skills. It also supports the development of memory/perception skills and metacognition. The series offers a wealth of ideas for inspiring lessons and activities, supported by photocopiable problems that allow children to apply the skills learned. Each book includes guidance on how to turn any lesson into a thinking lesson, how to apply thinking skills and teaching strategies across the curriculum, and advice on formative assessment.
Discussion points
What are some ways we use numbers every day that you can think of?
Can you explain a problem from the book and how you would solve it?
What is your favorite number game or puzzle from this book, and why?
How do numbers help us organize things around us?
If you could create your own number game, what rules would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start each discussion with genuine interest and curiosity to make your child feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Use examples from everyday life to relate to the book’s concepts, making them more tangible and understandable for the child. Encourage your child to explain their reasoning when answering questions to deepen their understanding and confidence in handling numbers. Praise their efforts and insights to boost their enthusiasm about math. Suggest creating a simple numbers game together based on ideas from the book to make learning interactive and fun.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: This book fosters problem-solving skills by presenting children with engaging math challenges that require thoughtful analysis and strategy.
Real-World Application: Children apply these skills to solve everyday problems, enhancing their ability to navigate challenges in academic settings and beyond.
Example Lesson: Logical thinking
Explanation: Through structured mathematical exercises, children are taught to approach problems logically and develop a step-by-step process in their thinking.
Real-World Application: This ability to think logically can help children in decision-making processes and in understanding cause and effect in real-world scenarios.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Certain activities in the book are designed to be completed in groups, encouraging children to work together to solve problems.
Real-World Application: Collaborative skills are vital in all areas of life, helping children to build stronger relationships and perform effectively in team-oriented environments at school or in sports.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Maths challenges in the book teach children the value of perseverance as they work through complex problems.
Real-World Application: This instills a mindset of persistence that is crucial when facing academic challenges or personal goals, fostering resilience from a young age.