Mathematics Preparation
Ohaupo School is part of the numeracy project. This project is based on research and aims to improve the quality of maths teaching and learning.
Your child will be learning to –
- Make sense of numbers.
- Solve maths problems – real life and imaginary.
- Calculate in their head instead of using a calculator or pen and paper.
- Show how they understand maths using equipment.
- Explain the strategies they use to solve a problem ie how they work out the problems.
After 1 month at school students are tested on their numeracy knowledge and strategies. This information is used to help plan a programme for your child’s learning and will be shared with you at an interview and in report form.
Students also need experiences and knowledge of other maths areas before starting school. These include knowing colours, shapes and being able to use mathematical language for measuring and positions.
Students also need experiences and knowledge of other maths areas before starting school. These include knowing colours, shapes and being able to use mathematical language for measuring and positions.
What can you do at home before they start school?
- Read the numbers around the neighbourhood eg letterboxes, signs.
- Count objects around the house. How many bananas are in the fruit bowl?
- Play games together. This teaches your child about taking turns, recognising the patterns on the dice and counting one to one as they move their counter.
- Talk about colours and shapes.
- Use mathematical language such as long, short, tall, smaller than, bigger than, beside, in between, under, over.
- Make jigsaw puzzles together. This helps develop spatial awareness, sequencing and problem solving.
- Build and create with blocks. Ask questions that challenge and extend their thinking e.g.: What would happen if we made this ramp higher?
How you can help at home after they have started school?
- Read and write numbers – 1 to 10 at first and then 1 to 20
- Count forwards and backwards. This skill is needed before students can learn to add and subtract.
- Talk about before and after. Ask – What comes after 8? before 5?
- Play maths games together.
- Work out problems around the house – e.g.: I have 2 apples and you have 3 apples how many altogether? We had 6 buns and I ate 2. How many are left? I had 10 marbles and I dropped them. l’ve found 3. How many more do I need to find?
- Talk about time and money.
