“The ability to solve problems is at the heart of
mathematics.”
(Cockcroft 1982)
Why is problem solving important in the new National Curriculum?
The Curriculum for Mathematics (2012) recommends that schools:
“… increase the emphasis on problem solving across the mathematics curriculum.”
The new National Curriculum launched in September 2014 has organised mathematics into
different strands. Throughout KS1 and KS2 these are:
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Number and Place Value
Addition and Subtraction
Multiplication and Division
Fractions
Measurement
Geometry
Statistics
(With the addition of Ratio and Proportion and Algebra in Year 6)
The new curriculum states that before children are progressed to the next ‘band’ in mathematics,
they should experience depth of the curriculum in order to demonstrate skill in the above areas.
This is vitally important, to ensure that each child has understood the smaller ‘stepping stones’ in
mathematics, before they are progressed to the next level. Lack of time consolidating a skill can
lead to a lack of confidence and, indeed, gaps in knowledge in mathematics. This is where
problem solving is critical, to allow children opportunity to practise and demonstrate these skills.
What types of problems are there?
Although there are many types of problems, most can be categorized in the following:
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Finding all possibilities
Logic puzzles
Finding rules and describing patterns
Visual Problems (Diagram problems and visual puzzles)
Each of these requires different strategies to work through and solve these problems. Children
might also need apparatus, will make jottings, draw pictures and work through a series of smaller
steps before the answer is reached.
(Time to look at examples of problems on tables)
Maths Workshop for Parents / Carers – Wednesday 7th October ’15
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Practical Activity
On your table, work through the problems. Work as a group, discussing ideas and answers as you
go. Think about how you would support your child to complete these at home:
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Did I have everything I needed? Would I give my child anything else to help them?
Was it easy? Was it challenging? Why?
What vocabulary will I expect my child to know? How will I find out?
Which skills do these problems require?
What is my role? How will I help?
The Role of Speaking and Listening
Research shows that speaking and listening skills are crucial to the development of children’s
thinking strategies when solving mathematical problems. In achieving this, language is a vital
element. Often, the barrier to understanding mathematical concepts and gaining the necessary
confidence is due to the unfamiliar language of mathematics.
Maths Workshop for Parents / Carers – Wednesday 7th October ’15
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Maths Workshop for Parents / Carers – Wednesday 7th October ’15
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Maths Workshop for Parents / Carers – Wednesday 7th October ’15
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