Children Calculating a Core Number Programme

These resources from Shropshire Centre for Mathematics Education provide a framework to enhance students' mathematical experience at Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. They look at strategies which can be implemented to support the expectations of the National Curriculum and encourage students to use and apply their mathematical knowledge in a manner which suits their individual preferences.

A Core Number Programme for Key Stage One

At Key Stage One, the emphasis upon mental calculation means that there should be a greater preoccupation with developing 'a feeling for number' than with purely text-based written computational exercises.

The main vehicle for providing the intensive and regular contact that students need in order to make progress is provided by repeatable tasks, which are distinguished as either games or puzzles.

The programme also provides number investigations which are pertinent to each of the topics, allowing students to apply their number skills and knowledge in more open problem solving situations.

*Pack A - counting and place value

*Pack B - addition/subtraction, number bonds, difference and all operations

*Pack C - money, grouping, multiplication and division

*Pack D - Transforming

A Core Number Programme for Key Stage Two

The emphasis placed upon mental calculation at Key Stage One is extended at Key Stage Two to larger numbers and encompass the operation of multiplication.

Starting with activities which consolidate the Idea that multiplication is a powerful tool that reduces the burden of repeated addition, the emphasis changes to helping students gain recall of multiplication facts.

Again, games, puzzle sheets and investigations are used to support students' understanding and progress.

*Green pack - place value and decimals

*Red pack - number bonds and difference

*Orange pack - all operations

*Yellow pack - multiplication and money

*Blue pack - transforming, approximating and remainders

*Buff pack - doubling