ICT and mathematics
PNS Interactive Teaching Programs: All primary schools, via maths coordinators, currently have the 32 published ITPs and instruction booklet, together with the
Somerset planning grid. There are six new ITPs due out soon. These will be accompanied by instructions and ideas for their use and will appear on the Primary Strategy site.
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/primary/publicationsThe planning page also contains MTP plans with appropriate ITPs annotated on them.
Wave 3 maths. All schools who attended the recent Wave 3 conferences around the county will have recieved the local and national materials for supporting work with children in KS2 who still having significant difficulties with mathematics. Thisincludes the Number Zones CD (written by the Numeracy Team. in conjunction with Cinderbud (software company)) It contains 15 programs covering Difference, Grouping, Ordering, Counting on and back and Number bonds. set in 3 zones - Sea, Space and fantasy.
Number Bonds in the Sea Zone with interactive beadstring
Number Zones is now available nationally from Pearson/Longman.
Please note if you have Knowledge Box then the Number Zones module can be added to your box for free in Leicestershire schools
LeicestershireTeachers’ and LSAs’ responses to Number Zones
- Excellent resource for IWB and for group work. LSA used a lot and felt that it kept the children’s interest.
- The children were in control of their learning more and they were not worried about making mistakes because they could correct.
- I liked the fact that had 3 different choices for the same learning objective so the children did not get bored with the graphics.
- Wonderful animation / effects.
- Simple, colourful and entertaining activities for less able / reluctant mathematics!
- Very clear presentation
- Easy to follow
- Lots of discussion between children about the mathematical concepts
- Teacher of lower set thought it could be used for whole class teachings as well as small groups
- I think this is a great teaching tool for our less able
- I like the way it is split into zones that will appeal to different children
- It is good not to have too much writing which puts less able children off
- It is at the correct age group level – not too babyish as often they are
- An absolutely brilliant programme.
- The graphics were fantastic and it was really easy to use.
- I would definitely use it again with my class.
- Would like to have a copy to use with small groups and individual children.
- Nice, bright interactive programmes. Good pictures that are appealing to the children – nice that we’re able to change the zones to appeal to individuals.
- I really like how we can set the activities to different levels.
- Very engaging – great animations – as soon as it was on the IWB had teachers and TAs flocking round to see what it was, and if they could borrow it.
- Used with whole Y5 class to work out strategies for identifying missing numbers in sequences – then applied to much more challenging number sequences – children mesmerized.
- Having choice of zones for each activity keeps children interested – doesn’t become repetitive.
- Great fun to use
- Simple to get going, nice level of differentiation which was pitched appropriately for focus group (Yr6 children just at/below level 3)
- Liked the level of discussion promoted; children moved on during session, although still seemed to start from scratch again next time (however, trial when very time limited)
- Liked all of the options, although clicking on grouping programme slowed pace a little too much.
- Really liked number line shown on screen – matching exactly how shown for written work
- LSA also given opportunity to work with focus group. She felt programmes were very useful and pace was right. Also liked the fact that exactly same questions shown in different contexts; encouraging children to not ‘box off’ operations to certain situations.
- I liked ease of use as little time ordinarily to learn how to use and set up software.
- Children very positive. They thought graphics were great and enjoyed using the software.
- Lots of laughing. Children very enthusiastic and motivated (not at all distracted by effects). They found ‘difference’ most difficult, coped with others really well.
- The children found it very easy to follow and work independently. I found that after modelling and saying the calculation when it appeared the children continued to say the calculation when it appeared when working independently.
- After introducing it to my less able – they soon learned to navigate themselves without help. They do very little independently so it was great.
- Lots of laughing out loud – these are Y5’s!
- Children very quick to be able to navigate the game and make sensible choices about what to practice next
- Very well motivated by programmes, impressed by graphics, especially Space Zone. Certainly eager to ‘have another go’ following days
Children’s responses
- Normal maths can be frustrating but this is fun
- Brilliant challenge, hard without the number line!
- Great fun
- Helps me learn and I can check my own answers
- Ooo this is great!
- This is cool
- Wow!
- This is really good!
- I like that one
- Can I stay in at lunch and carry on!
- I would give this 20 out of 20
- From one child to another – “Look, use the number line to help you”
- I like the space music
- This is good
- Its good because you get to play games and learn at the same time
- The children also thought the programs were brilliant with one saying “This is brilliant, I understand it now” - This was when we were looking at grouping method.
- Cool!
- Wicked!
- Look there are number lines.
- I like the Fantasy Zone because it is exciting
- It’s funny, exciting – you don’t know what’s going to come out of the box next
- I’ll try groups of 4 now” (Y5 boy – v. dyslexic who finds learning tables hard enjoyed he ‘grouping’ section).
- Its good that there are different settings (Y5 enjoyed being able to choose what to practice and had ownership over what they were doing).
- ICT and Numeracy
- References to ICT in the Framework (supplement of examples)
- Counter Activities ( suggestions for using 'Counter', a program from your NNS ICT pack)
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