Maths Inspirations: Year 5/P6: Thinking by Numbers: Teacher's Notes
Maths inspirations Series
What’s inside...
The Thinking by Numbers series consists of books that provide practical teaching strategies to develop children's thinking skills through mathematics. The series is structured around the five primary thinking skills outlined by the National Curriculum: information processing, reasoning, enquiry, creative thinking, and evaluation, also emphasizing memory/perception skills and metacognition. Each book includes ideas for inspiring lessons and activities, photocopiable problems for skill application, guidance on turning any lesson into a thinking lesson, strategies for implementing thinking skills across the curriculum, and formative assessment advice.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-10
Length
95 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was the most interesting math problem you solved in the book, and why did it stand out to you?
Can you think of a real-life situation where you could use the math concepts from this book?
How did the book help you understand math concepts better?
What new math tip or trick did you learn from this book that you hadn't known before?
If you could create your own math problem inspired by this book, what would it look like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own experiences or challenges with math to create a relaxed atmosphere for discussion.
Praise your child’s efforts and specific strengths in math to build their confidence.
Ask open-ended questions that require more than a 'yes' or 'no' response to encourage deeper thinking and conversation.
Relate the math problems from the book to everyday scenarios to make the concepts more tangible and understandable.
Encourage your child to explain their thought process as they solve a problem, which can help reinforce their understanding and give you insight into their learning style.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: The book encourages children to approach mathematical problems with a critical mindset, promoting problem-solving and logical reasoning skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply critical thinking to analyze situations, make better decisions, and solve problems more effectively in daily life.
Example Lesson: Collaboration and Teamwork
Explanation: Students are encouraged to work together to solve complex problems, fostering a sense of teamwork and collective effort.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of collaboration in school projects and real-world scenarios, enhancing their ability to work effectively in groups.
Example Lesson: Confidence in Numeracy
Explanation: The book provides clear, structured tasks that build on each other, helping children develop confidence in their mathematical abilities.
Real-World Application: Boosting numeracy confidence can lead to better academic performance and a greater willingness to engage with STEM subjects in future educational settings.