Our Maths Lessons

At St Michael and All Angels we use a 5-part lesson design to teach Maths. During these lessons there is a clear whole-class, interactive approach to engage all learners in a back and forth cycle of questioning, short tasks, explanation, demonstration, discussion, reasoning and applying. This teaching adopts the ‘5 Big Ideas’ from the NCETM.

Through a consistent ‘I do, we do, you do’ cycle, conceptual and procedural gaps are identified and addressed immediately within lessons and time is dedicated to deepening understanding. Key facts are embedded, regularly practised and applied to help our children to make connections and support their deeper understanding.

We encourage our pupils to ‘talk like a mathematician’, using precise vocabulary to explain their thinking and understanding throughout each lesson.

At SMAAA we use White Rose as a basis for planning small steps along with our school Medium Term plans to ensure progression. If supplementary activities are needed for practice and depth of understanding, we us Build a Sequence tasks from Tara Loughran.

In EYFS, staff use Mastering Number (Reception) and Master the Curriculum (Nursery) for the planning and teaching of Maths.

We have a school Calculation Policy which all staff will use and adhere to.

5 Part Lesson Structure

At SMAAA our 5 part lesson is based around our ‘STEPS’ to being a successful mathematician:

Show what you know

Talk like a Mathematician

Explore like a Mathematician

Probe like a Mathematician

Solve like a Mathematician