Week 1 - The Number 6

We developed our understanding of the number 6. We practised writing the numeral 6 and also put 6 counters onto our ten frames.

We deepened our knowledge of the composition of 6 by looking at the ways six can be made. The children used practical resources (six counters or six compare bears) and placed them onto two plates to see how six can be made in different ways.

Eg:

1 + 5 = 6

2 + 4 = 6

3 + 3 = 6

Week 2 - The Number 7

We developed our knowledge of the number seven. We practised writing the numeral 7 and placed then drew 7 counters on our tens-frames. 

We looked deeper at the composition of 7 by looking at the ways it can be made with smaller numbers. We continued to use the language of part, part, whole. 

Eg.

0 + 7 = 7

1 + 6 = 7

2 + 5 = 7

3 + 4 = 7

Here we are practising the composition of 7 by sharing 7 teddy bears between two bowls.

Week 3 - The Number 8

We developed our understanding of the number 8. We practised putting 8 counters on our 10 frames, drawing 8 counters and writing the numeral 8.

We are continuing to work on our understanding of the composition of numbers.

'Eight, eight, eight! 4 and 4 makes 8!'

The children love to use their knowledge of Numberblocks to support their understanding of composition of numbers and one more and one less than given numbers.

We use practical resources (blocks) and pictorial resources like those shown below to support the children with these concepts.

Week 4 - Pairs

This week we explored what makes a pair. We realised that two things can make a pair and we can have a matching pair which looks the same. 

Books are great resources to help us understand maths concepts. We enjoyed learning about pairs using the book 'Simon Sock' who is looking for the other half of his pair. If you'd like to listen to the read-aloud use the link below.

Weeks 4 and 5 - Combining numbers

This week in maths we began to learn more about how to combine two numbers. Lots of the children have been showing great interest in this during child-initiated time so it was lovely to have the chance to cover it in whole-class teaching. 

We used the part-whole model and our subitising and counting skills to help us. 

Please see the picture below if you would like to try this at home. All you need is three plates/containers and some objects to combine.

Week 6 - Length and Time

Length
We used the key vocabulary tall, short, taller, shorter and measure. The children had fun measuring different things in the classrooms and seeing which were tall and which were short.

Time

We reminded ourselves of the days of the week. A couple of great ways to do this are with the book 'Jasper's Beanstalk' (link below) and the 'Days of the Week Song' sung to the Addams Family theme tune.

'Days of the week (click, click) X5
There's Monday and there's Tuesday

There's Wednesday and there's Thursday

There's Friday and there's Saturday 

And Sunday ends the week.'

We also discussed time in terms of day and night and how we know which one is which. To aid our discussion we read 'Peace at Last' (link below).