Introduction
WEBSITES
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www.counton.org
www.learn.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/schools
http://nrich.maths.org
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths
www.ixl.com/math
www.coolmath4kids.com
www.mathplayground.com/games.html
www.maths-games.org
The information in this booklet is to help you to help your child with
maths.
It explains some of the different strategies we use for recording
calculations in school. The written methods we use are progressive ie
each method builds on the previous.
All the methods are efficient in their own right and can be used with
numbers of all sizes, including decimals. The key is that the children
have a method which they understand and with which they can
experience success.
Once a child has mastered one method they will be introduced to the
next stage as it may become more efficient for them but they are
always given the opportunity to select the method they feel more
comfortable with.
For each stage there are two strategies listed, the first being the
method taught and encouraged. The other is an alternative offered to
those who find the first method difficult to understand and apply.
In addition to the above, the booklet includes some everyday
mathematical activities which you could involve your child in and some
websites which they may find interesting.
1
Stages 1-3 allow children to carry out addition calculations with smaller
numbers and supported with the use of practical apparatus.
STAGE 4
Partitioning
26 + 37
20 + 30 = 50
6 + 7 = 13
50 + 13 = 63
Alternative - Number lines:
86 + 57 (most or least significant first) (A hundred grid could be used to
support this recording)
+ 50
+4
86
136
+3
140
Pizza please!
143
Your pizza costs £3.60. Cut it into six equal slices.
How much does each slice cost?
The answer is that each slice costs 60p.
STAGE 5
Partitioning
As above – with 3-digt numbers.
Introduce to column form of recording:
(significant and insignificant digits first)
754
+ 96
597
+ 475
700
140
10
12
160
900
Number lines (as above)
850
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

754
+ 40
804
How much is half a slice?
How much do two slices cost?
How much does half (1/2) of the whole pizza cost?
What if you cut your pizza into four equal slices (quarters)?
1072



754 + 96
+ 50
Calculator costs
Use a calculator to find the cost of one sweet:
Clues:
1. Enter the cost of the packet of sweets on the calculator display, for
example 35 (pence).
2. Press the divide ÷ button
3. Count the number of sweets in the packet, and enter this number on
the calculator, for example 42 (sweets).
4. Press the equals = button
5. The answer is 0.833 (pence), which is less than 1p for each sweet.
Now use your calculator to find the cost of:
 One stick of chewing gum;
 One finger of a chocolate bar;
 One segment of a tangerine;
 One mint; and so on.
How much does one slice (1/4) cost now?
How much does half cost now?
Is it the same, more or less than above?
+6
844
850
2
11
MEASUREMENT
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STAGE 6
Calculating distances in a journey e.g. how much further?
Calculating heights of family members – who is the tallest? How
much taller is dad than you?
Measuring weights of ingredients for baking.
Reading the scale on weighing machines and calculating the
intervals.
7648
+ 1486
27.54
+1 6.7
9134
11
44.24
11
Weigh your child on the bathroom scales.
Weigh them again while they are holding the family pet. Can they work
out how much heavy the pet is?
Time
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Calculating how long a journey will take looking at train/bus/airline
timetables.
Using TV guide to calculate the length of programmes.
Programming the video or the microwave.
Setting an alarm clock.
Planning the evenings TV viewing, ‘How long will the programme
last?’
10
3
How you can help your child at home

Stages 1-3 allow children to carry out subtraction calculations with
smaller numbers and supported with the use of practical apparatus.

STAGE 4

Number lines
Counting on
84-56=28
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+4
+20
+4

56
60
80
84
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Counting back
84 – 56 = 28
+4
28
Here are some examples of how you can include mathematics at home:
SHOPPING
-50
34
STAGE 5
Column: Counting on
754
- 86
14 (100)
600 (700)
54 (754)
It is most important that you talk & listen to your child about
their work in maths. It will help your child if they have to
explain to you.
Share the maths activity with your child and discuss it with
them.
Be positive about maths, even if you don’t feel confident about
it yourself.
Remember, you are not expected to teach your child maths, but
please share, talk and listen to your child.
If your child cannot do their homework do let the teacher know
by either writing a note on the piece of homework or telling the
teacher.
A lot of maths can be done using everyday situations and will
not need pencil and paper methods.
Play games and have fun with maths!
£
£
84
£
STAGE 6
£
£
5 13 1
6467
- 2684
£
Looking at prices
Calculating change – which coins, different
combinations.
Weighing fruit and vegetables in the supermarket and
calculating the cost.
Counting pocket money.
Estimating the final bill at the end of shopping while
waiting at the cash out.
Calculating the cost of the family going to the cinema,
swimming baths, etc.
3783
668
4
9
STAGE 6
Still using Number Lines as above
Stages 1-3 allow children to carry out multiplication calculations
with smaller numbers supported with the use of practical apparatus
or drawings ie arrays or groups of.
Some may move onto:Chunking:
256 ÷ 7
256
- 70
(10 x 7)
186
- 140
(20 x 7)
46
- 42
(6 x 7)
4
Answer is 36 remainder 4
Describing arrays:
4x2=8
2x4=8
Diagrams
X X
2
X X
+
2
X X
+
2
3 groups of 2
Repeated addition:
5 + 5 + 5 = 3 lots of 5
STAGE 4
Grid method (TU x U) :
23 x 8 =
20
8
8
160
24
3
= 184
5
STAGE 5
As with multiplication, stages 1-3 allow children to carry out
division calculations with smaller numbers supported with the use
of practical apparatus or drawings ie groups of. Throughout we
look to develop children’s understanding of the relationship
between multiplication and division and seeing division as ‘grouping’
as well as ‘sharing’.
Grid method (HTU x U, TU x TU and U.t x U) :
72 x 38 =
70
2100 60
30
560
8
4.9 x 3
3
4.0
0.9
12
2.7
560
2
16
= 2736
Pictorial representations:
Grouping:
12 + 2.7 = 14.7
How many twos make 6?
Share 6 sweets
between 2 boys.
Sharing:
16
STAGE 6
Grid method (ThHTU x U; HTU x TU and decimals – up to 2 dp)
As above plus: 372 x 24 =
300
70
STAGE 4
2
Number lines:
6000 1400 40
20
1200
4
1x2
280 8
= 8928
12.62 x 8 =
8
10
2
80
16
0.6
4.8
0
1x2
2
6
1x2
8
10
Counting on - 72 ÷ 5 = 14 r 2
10 x 5
Long Multiplication:
352
X
27
2464
7040
9504
4
1x2
STAGE 5
0.16
= 80 + 16 + 4.8 + 0.16 = 100.96
234
1x2
0.02
Leading to
Short Multiplication:
4346
X
8
34768
10 ÷ 2 = 5
4x5
0
50
Counting back - 72 ÷ 5 = 14 r 2
-4x5
6
0 2
70 72
- 10 x 5
22
72
7