Homes - Mathematical Zone
Secondary foci: Reflective practice, Peer Assessment,
How was it used?
As part of a theme ‘homes’, this resource was used with groups of children to develop number recognition and understanding of number problems within 20.
It was used. The first activity - number recognition up to 10 - was used to support a group of children in reception class who were still struggling to recognise some of their numbers up to 10. The second activity – number recognition up to 20 – was used with a higher attaining group of year 1 children. The enhanced and continuous activities detailed in the teaching guidance were available to all.
Impact and Outcomes
Activity 1 –
The children had completed lots of different learning activities relating to number recognition but were still struggling with recognition of some of the numbers. This activity first required the child to pick out the number from the address on the envelope i.e. to distinguish between letters and numbers and then to match the number to the correct house. The immediate feedback was motivating for the children and as there were only 5 numbers to match each time, the task was short enough to maintain interest. The activity proved a very good starting point for the practical enhanced activity of posting numbered envelopes into boxes painted as houses; It allowed the children to take on the role of the dragon postman when they were posting their letters and they retained interest in the task for an extended period of time.
Activity 2 –
The children were really challenged by this activity and worked together to solve the problems on the envelopes. They were obviously pleased when they got all 10 envelopes to the correct addresses. The activity provoked much discussion about errors in calculation and impacted upon metacognitive development.
Learner Feedback
“I liked being the postman and posting the right envelope” (Reception child)
“Some of the sums were really hard but I got them right” (Year 1 child)
“I like it when I can work with my friends” (Year 1 child)
Other Resources
- Boxes painted as houses for the children to post letters into.
- Number snap
- BeeBot and a BeeBot sized number line.
- Circle game – sums and answers in a round.
- Problem boxes – small colourful boxes with a sum inside and Velcro on the lid to stick the answer card – they were then ordered according to the anwer card.
- Natural materials – shells, pebbles etc. for practical ‘play’ with number .
Lesson Learnt
The houses in the second activity were able to be used as a number line. They could be reproduced as a number line during the theme ‘homes’ and displayed in the classroom.
The second activity would also be suitable for Year 2 children.