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.