Maths Curricular Targets
Key School
Targets
F1
F2
As Yr R and
Y1
School Another
Date :
To develop and extend pupils’ abilities to solve
word problems and puzzles
Must BA
Should A
Could AA
To develop and extend pupils’ abilities to solve word
problems and puzzles
Must BA
Should A
Could AA
Supporting year group targets
Display mathematical understanding through talk
and play solving simple mathematical problems
Supporting year group targets ~ in “child speak”
I can solve simple problems and puzzles by talking and
doing
Display mathematical understanding through talk
and play solving simple mathematical problems
I can solve simple problems and puzzles by talking and
doing
Use developing mathematical ideas and methods to
solve simple practical problems
Use mental strategies to solve simple problems
involving counting, addition, subtraction, doubling
and halving, explaining methods and reasoning orally
I can use my maths to solve real life problems
Use developing mathematical ideas and methods to
solve simple practical problems
I can solve problems and puzzles in my head by counting,
adding, subtracting and doubling and halving and I can
explain how
I can use my maths to solve real life problems
Use mental strategies to solve simple problems
involving counting, addition, subtraction, doubling
and halving, explaining methods and reasoning orally
I can solve problems and puzzles in my head by counting,
adding, subtracting and doubling and halving and I can
explain how
Explain how a problem was solved orally and, where
appropriate, in writing
I can explain by talking and writing how I solved a problem
As Yr 1 and
Y2
As Yr 2 and
Y3
Use mental strategies to solve simple problems
involving counting, addition, subtraction, doubling
and halving, explaining methods and reasoning orally
I can solve problems and puzzles in my head by counting,
adding, subtracting and doubling and halving and I can
explain how
Explain how a problem was solved orally and, where
appropriate, in writing
I can explain by talking and writing how I solved a problem
Explain how problem was solved
Choose and use appropriate operations (including
multiplication and division) to solve problems
I can explain how a problem was solved and choose
sensible methods or operations to do it
Explain how a problem was solved orally and, where
appropriate, in writing
I can explain by talking and writing how I solved a problem
Explain how problem was solved
Choose and use appropriate operations (including
multiplication and division) to solve problems
I can explain how a problem was solved and choose
sensible methods or operations to do it
Choose and use appropriate number operations and
appropriate ways of calculating (eg. Mental /mental
with jottings / pencil and paper) to solve problems
I can choose sensible methods and ways of working to
solve puzzles and problems
As Yr 3 and
Y4
As Yr 4 and
Y5
Explain how problem was solved
Choose and use appropriate operations (including
multiplication and division) to solve problems
I can explain how a problem was solved and choose
sensible methods or operations to do it
Choose and use appropriate number operations and
appropriate ways of calculating (eg. Mental /mental
with jottings / pencil and paper) to solve problems
I can choose sensible methods and ways of working to
solve puzzles and problems
Choose and use all four operations to solve single
and multi-step problems involving numbers,
quantities and measures
I can use all four operations to solve single and multi-step
problems using measures, numbers and quantities
Choose and use appropriate number operations and
appropriate ways of calculating (eg. Mental /mental
with jottings / pencil and paper) to solve problems
I can choose sensible methods and ways of working to
solve puzzles and problems
Choose and use all four operations to solve single
and multi-step problems involving numbers,
quantities and measures
I can use all four operations to solve single and multi-step
problems using measures, numbers and quantities
Identify and use the appropriate operations
(including combinations of operations)to solve
problems involving numbers, quantities, measures
and explain methods and reasoning
I can decide which operations to use and use them to solve
problems and puzzles involving numbers, quantities and
measures and I can explain my reasoning
As Yr 5 and
Y6
Key activities
to support
targets
Choose and use all four operations to solve single
and multi-step problems involving numbers,
quantities and measures
I can use all four operations to solve single and multi-step
problems using measures, numbers and quantities
Identify and use the appropriate operations
(including combinations of operations)to solve
problems involving numbers, quantities, measures
and explain methods and reasoning
I can decide which operations to use and use them to solve
problems and puzzles involving numbers, quantities and
measures and I can explain my reasoning
Choose and justify the use of an appropriate and
efficient method for solving a problem
I can choose suitable and efficient methods to solve
puzzles and problems and I can explain my choices
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Make use of “Barrier Games” to develop and extend mathematical vocabulary and reasoning
Use “Group problem Solving” especially where there is redundant or irrelevant information
Children design their own problems using “Problem Solving Spinners”
Reduce deliberately “wordy” problems to their most simple expression ~ as though sending a text ~ then
express as calculation(s)
Delete non-essential information in the text
Highlight the key information in the text of any given puzzle
Use key words such as “How many left? How many altogether? What was each share worth? What was the
cost of x at y?” to identify operations (-, +, ÷, ×)
Use problem solving “mats” ~ expanded or simplified according to age / ability
Use problem solving frames to scaffold the processes ~ extended or simplified as above
Work in pairs or small groups and present puzzles for children to solve in any way they see as appropriate
then build teaching and learning on pupil response (rather than “Here’s a puzzle. This is how you solve it”)
RESOURCES
 Group problem Solving examples on e-riding
 Brain Teasers from TES Website
 ERYC publication “Problem Solving Yr R to Yr 6”
 Mathematical Challenges for More Able Pupils
 “Beam” materials
 Paper resources such as problem solving spinners and scaffolded frames ~ see Maths Subject Leader
 Problem Solving Mats ~ e-version available for easy modification