ACE Maths Focus Day with Mrs Anderson
Mrs Anderson brings us ACE Maths Focus Day on Wednesday 28th April 2021
We put Mrs Anderson in our ACE Spotlight! to find out what ACE Maths Focus Day - ‘Problem Solving and Reasoning’ has in store for Astley pupils and to learn more about her role as Maths Curriculum Lead.
Mrs Anderson is Astley's current Year 5 teacher and a member of Astley's Senior Leadership Team.
How long have you worked at Astley Primary School?
I joined Astley Primary School in September 2012. I remember being shown around Astley and thinking to myself, 'this is where I would like to work!’ My first teaching role was in Year 1 / 2 class.
Tell us how you came to teaching?
I have always enjoyed working with children and gained experience working in different settings and with different year groups whilst studying at college and university. I worked as a Teaching Assistant for pupils with complex Needs for three years after completing my degree in ‘Deaf and Special Needs and Inclusion Studies’ at Wolverhampton University. I knew teaching was the career I wanted and after completing training I started at Astley and have never looked back- Astley is such a fantastic place to work!
You are Astley's Maths Curriculum Lead. When did your role begin?
I was delighted to become the Maths Curriculum Lead in October 2018. I have particularly enjoyed introducing Active Maths - 'Maths of the Day' across the school and have been delighted to observe its positive impact. The more I'm excited and learn about Maths the more knowledge I am able to share with staff and pupils.
Did you enjoy Maths as a subject when you were at school? Were there things you found tricky?
I enjoyed Maths at school, but didn't find it easy! I worked hard practising different methods, especially my Times Tables. I wish I had been able to learn the pictorial methods and had access to the range of resources which we have available here at Astley. Since becoming a teacher I’ve found a real love of Maths.
What are your favourite subjects to teach at school?
My favourite lessons are Maths, PE and Science, although I enjoy teaching all subjects. When something clicks for a pupil or I see excitement or eagerness to learn, this buzz makes teaching the best job ever, especially at Astley!
In what different ways is Maths approached at Astley Primary?
We adopt a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach to Maths across the school which enables children to physically use resources as well as drawing representation to solve problems. Each class has a weekly Active Maths lesson – ‘Maths of the Day’ - which provides pupils with the opportunity to further practise the Maths skills they have learned that week.
In September 2020 we introduced ‘Marvellous Maths’ as a regular fifteen-minute opportunity to revisit areas of maths in support of pupil’s long-term memory.
In what ways is Maths important for pupils in school and when you come to leave school?
Last year's theme for ACE Maths Focus Day (June 2020) was 'Where will Maths Take You?' We explored skills and areas of maths which people use in different jobs. Maths is extremely important as it teaches specific skills and also problem-solving skills, such as working systematically. Maths links to other ACE Curriculum subjects. Pupils should have a clear understanding of why they are learning a particular area of maths and how this links to real life examples. Astley aims to make pupils lifelong learners who build skills and knowledge progressively as they move through the school.
What can pupils look forward to in ACE Maths Focus Day this year?
Pupils will take part in a fun day of activities on the theme of ‘Problem Solving and Reasoning,’ exploring different problems covering a range of different areas of Maths. ACE Maths Focus Day will include an Active Maths lesson. Throughout the day they will have the opportunity to work in pairs and in groups within their class, using red reasoning stickers to record and explore reasoning and progression with ‘describing, convincing or proving.’ Pupils will develop their fluency and then apply these skills in the different areas of maths within all ACE curriculum lessons.
How have lockdowns and ongoing Covid 19 restrictions impacted or altered the teaching of Maths within the school?
Active Maths lessons - 'Maths of the Day' – continue to be a fantastic opportunity for pupils to be active during maths lessons, providing more chance to be outside and working in groups.
What would be your biggest hope or most important aim for Maths at Astley Primary over the next year?
My biggest aim is for all pupils to have the opportunity for an enriched ACE maths experience and have fun using the concrete, pictorial and abstract approach.
I hope all pupils continue to make progress in their learning in maths and feel proud of what they have achieved.
Photos from our Maths Focus Day
