Starting Points for Mathematical Themes in the Primary School - Part One

This series of booklets, produced by Shropshire Centre for Mathematics Education, provide teachers in primary schools with a range of practical starting points for investigative work in the classroom, allowing students to explore mathematical ideas.

Doubling and halving

This is a particularly rich topic in the way that it allows investigation of both shape and numerical situations. The topic provides opportunities for students to apply their skills of doubling and halving over a wide range of conceptual areas:

*addition / multiplication
*subtraction / division
*place value
*balance / equivalence
*symmetry
*area
*fractions

All of the activities, but particularly those involving shape, recognise the desirability for students to develop their creative powers of imagery, especially with regard to fractions.

Fractions

The activities in this booklet offer ideas for using a wide range of equipment, where the ability to create halves, quarters and thirds will lay the foundation for mental calculation and should enable students to build their understanding of the equivalence of fractions.

Hundred squares

When the first hundred numbers are arranged in a square formation tremendous opportunities are created for students to:

*discover that a special relationship between numbers is created that can aid their powers of mental calculation;

*investigate a wide range of patterns and relationships that arise from various hundred square arrangements.

The activities in the first part of the booklet are intended to supplement those in the place value booklet and are designed to help students construct mental strategies for calculating difference.

Place value

Students are presented with a full range of practical activities, designed to let them come to terms with the conventions of place value for themselves and develop a sound understanding of the place value system. Initial work with small number bases allows students to experience several groupings and see that the pattern holds for each base.