Usually written in the form: a:b, a ratio shows us how two or more quantities are related to each other. A great way to introduce learners to the topic is with simple scenarios. For example, in a big bag of sweets, there are 2 red sweets for every 3 blue sweets. The relationship between red … Read more
Statistics is given much more coverage as learners move into high school. In the earliest days, the topic is as much about pictures and presentation as in-depth analysis of numbers. Initially, learners will learn to interpret and construct simple pictograms, tally charts, block diagrams, bar charts, pictograms, and tables. They will record, interpret, collate, organise … Read more
Introduction to Geometric Concepts in Mathematics Positional Geometry is perhaps the most practical of all the branches of maths. The study of positions, directions, and movements. It enables us to navigate from A to B and beyond. This exploration begins with ordering and arranging combinations of mathematical objects in patterns and sequences. Next, it’s about … Read more
Taken literally, the word geometry means to measure the Earth. It is the study of the properties and relations of points, lines, surfaces (2D shapes) and solids (3D shapes). Shapes The first topic, appropriately, concerns shapes. Under this heading, learners cover the following aspects: Recognising and naming 2D and 3D shapes This may not come … Read more
A fraction is a numerical quantity that is a part, or a number of parts, of an object, shape or quantity. It is best to start off with simple fractions such as halves and quarters. Take a delicious pizza. If you make a single cut, straight down the middle, you end up with two equally … Read more
Learning tables Times tables are fundamental maths facts. It is very difficult to be confident and do maths well if they are not known. Not knowing them causes anxiety and even resentment. Traditional methods may drill the facts into learners, but they don’t always stick and offer no way of ‘working out’ the answers. I … Read more
This article is about addition and subtraction. They are foundational skills in mathematics, but they themselves depend upon a good number sense. This is the ability to recognise and understand the value of numbers. It’s also about the relationships between them. It’s about how they can be combined or separated. With strong number sense, your … Read more
This is not so much about why, but more about how you should count with your child. Many of the ideas covered here come from Fosnot & Dolk, 2001. Maths is a broad topic that has many descriptions. It is all things to all people. I’m going to offer my opinion and say this it … Read more
