Active Maths
Catriona Smith, Depute Head TeacherMuriel Webster, Principal Teacher
Knightswood Primary School
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
Welcome!• Piloted with two P4 classes• Now across 5 classes in middle school • Involves teachers, children, PSAs and
parents• Improved achievement, attainment,
motivation and behaviour• Improved job satisfaction for teachers
and PSAs
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
Children’s Views
• I like Active Maths because you get to play football.
It keeps your brain fit. One thing I like about Active Maths is
that its fun! The stations are fun and it is a fun way
of learning about maths. The stations are about different things.
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
Children’s Views
We started Active Maths when we were in primary four. Mrs Smith runs Active Maths. We like the independent stations because they are so much fun, where as the taught stations are more boring because you have a teacher there. Most people love independent groups.Active Maths helps you learn better and is better than reading a textbook or just sitting at a desk.We would recommend it to other schools!
By Daniella-Jane and Rebecca, Primary 5a
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
How?
• Ability groups
• Six stations
• One station per day
• 10 children in each group
• Balance of Active and “Plain” Maths
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
Primary 5a website
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
Planning• ALL staff involved• Two taught, two guided and two
independent stations• Linked to 5-14 outcomesmaths c number2.doc
• Time between blocks to allow for planning
• Reusable resources
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
Assessment
• Group folder• Traffic lights• Comment for adult• Plenary – thumbs up• End of block evaluation
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
DVD
• Made by working group for staff feedback
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
Parental Involvement• Workshop to see Active Maths in action• Questionnaires at Parents Evenings• Maths help workshop- Parent’s level• 2 Leaflets produced –Information on
Active Maths and Help for Parents with Maths
• Volunteers for Active Maths• Responsible for independent stations• Rota system
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
Key Learning Points
• PSAs fully involved• Meeting times to include
everyone• All equipment ready for each
session• Week off for planning• Flexibility in planning
Catriona Smith, DHT, Knightswood Primary School
Achievements2006/2007 2007/2008
Level B or above
89% 97%
Level C 3% 45%
•Children have also reported that they enjoy maths more through Active Maths (86%).
•Shift from those who found maths “ok” to liking maths and finding it easy through the Active Maths project.