Maths chest 4: set of standardised items

Maths Chest 4 is the fourth of a developmental scheme published in the late 1980s. The aims of the scheme were to provide concrete activities to allow secure formation of concepts and develop understanding. The scheme was written with the firm belief that children should enjoy mathematics therefore includes many games and investigations designed to motivate and encourage self-confidence in learners. It is organised into three topic areas: measure, shape and space and number. Each topic area is revisited several times and incorporates relevant practical work so progress may be built upon gradually. Other resources include an introduction, activity cards, work cards, workbook and a glossary.

Activity cards are A4 coloured cards which provide material for games and activities.

Work cards are A5 cards which are designed to be used for enrichment and reinforcement activities.

Textbook 4 is a children's workbook containing questions and practical tasks linked to the topic areas in the scheme. Teaching of each topic is organised into three activities: teacher activities which are led by the teacher, group activities for small groups to carry out following instruction from the teacher and individual activities which children should be able to complete independently.

Each of the topic areas contains detailed teacher's notes on how to carry out the activities and provides extra activity choices so topics may be presented in a different way to clarify concepts or to provide extension work. The workbook and repromasters are provided at the end of topics to assess understanding. In addition each topic provides cross-curricular links including stories, rhymes or songs which may be used to reinforce and support the mathematical learning. It also includes extra teacher and group activities so difficult ideas may be looked at from a different viewpoint to support or to enrich the understanding of a topic.