.Info for parents of KS1 children

1. Maths Mastery

2. Maths in School
Before you work your way through this topic take a few minutes to think
about the following questions:
• What did you enjoy about maths when you were at school?
• What did you not enjoy about maths when you were at school?
• What do you remember about how the lessons were taught?
• Do you think children are taught maths differently in school nowadays? Why
do you think this is?

3. What adults often remember about maths in school
Here are some frequently reported memories!
Working on
my own
Scary times
tables tests
No
talking
Didn’t Understand it
Moving on
before I
understood it
Getting left behind
Teacher didn’t
explain things
properly
Loads of pages
of calculations
in columns
You either
get maths or
you don’t
Boring
lessons
I hated MATHS!

4. How are children taught nowadays?
Click the arrow for examples
Click the arrow for a classroom video

5. What is Maths Mastery?
• Maths Mastery is a new approach which comes from high performing Asian nations such as
Singapore.
• Based on the belief that Everybody can learn maths
• The whole class works on the same tasks and topics at the same time and doesn’t move on until all
have grasped it.
• Support for those who need it and more challenge for those who have understood and can apply the
concepts.
• Speed is not important but Mistakes are important because you can learn from them
Click the arrow to access a
website with a great
explanation of Maths Mastery
Click the arrow to access a
Maths Mastery Parents Guide

6. Advice for Parents, from Professor Jo Boaler
(Stanford University)
• Encourage children to play maths puzzles and games
• Never tell Children they are wrong but look for logic in their thinking
• Never associate maths with speed – this can cause maths anxiety
• Never tell your children you were bad at maths! Especially important for
mothers and daughters
• Encourage Number Sense
• Encourage a Growth Mindset: Unlimited potential - being good at
maths is all about working hard
Click the arrow to access her
advice leaflet

7. Remember!