Week 1 - Circles and Triangles

In week 1, we looked at the properties of circles and triangles.  We looked at the shape names, the number of sides each shape has and the types of sides: curved or straight.

The children began to notice these shapes in the environment and started to spot that the triangle has corners but a circle doesn't.

"I'm going to do the siren -it's a triangle."

Below are some stories we listened to that helped us become familiar with these shapes.

Triangle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

Circle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

Week 2 - The number 4

We developed our understanding of the number 4. We practised subitising up to 4 objects and counting 4 counters onto our five frames. We represented 4 by drawing 4 counters onto a five frame and writing the numeral 4 using the rhyme: 'Down and across and down some more. That's the way we write a 4.' 

Week 3 - The Number 5

We developed our understanding of the number 5. We practised subitising up to 5 objects and put 5 counters onto our five frames. We also represented 5 by drawing 5 counters onto a five frame and writing the numeral 5.

"When the five frame is full we know it is 5!"

Week 4 - One More and One Less for numbers to 5

To explore one more we looked at the story 'The Enormous Turnip'.

As we read the story and one more character appeared to try to get the enormous turnip out of the ground each time, we encouraged the children to speak in full maths sentences. Eg 'One more than 1 is 2'

To explore one less we looked at lots of popular nursery rhymes like the ones below. Again, as we sang the nursery rhymes, we encouraged the children to speak/sing in full maths sentences. Eg 'One less than 4 is 3.'

Below is a link for the BBC Nursery Rhymes we used. 

Week 5 - Rectangles

In week 5, we tried to distinguish between rectangles and squares. We learnt that a square is a special type of rectangle because it has 4 equal sides. The children were very good at spotting these shapes in the environment and using the shape names. 

"Look! I've done squares, triangle, circle and a rectangle for the door."

"I've done 3 rectangles!"

We used the link below to help us to learn more about rectangles and their properties.

Rectangle Song

Week 6 - Zero and Comparing Numbers to 5

At the start of week 6, we developed our understanding of 0. The children showed us zero claps, zero jumps and zero fingers! This was tricky at first but we soon got the hang of it.

"Look, I found two zeros!"

Towards the end of week 6, we began to look more closely at the relationships between numbers 1 to 5.  We used Numicon pieces and multi-link cubes to help us to understand which numbers were bigger than others and which were smaller. 

This child showed a number that was bigger than 3 by drawing the Numberblock 5.

Week 7 - The Composition of Numbers 4 and 5

In the last week of this half term, we will be exploring the composition of the number 4 then the number 5. We will use the language of parts and whole. Eg. 2 is a part and 2 is a part and the whole is 4.