Mathematics Blog - Summer 1 Number Sense Challenge
4th June 2018
Our 6 week focus on Improving Number Sense has come to an end.
Over the last 6 weeks each class has identified and worked on a different area based on the individual class needs. Take a look at the individual class pages for more details.
For 6 weeks, the focus area for improving number sense became a daily focus in every classroom. We had a launch assembly with the whole school and each class has set up weekly challenges on Sumdog that could be completed in school and/or at home. Each class set up a page on their class website to keep parents informed of weekly progress and share with them useful resources and ideas.
To measure the impact of the project we used both quantitative data, in the form of a baseline and exit test, as well as qualitative data, in the form of a child perception survey and a parental survey monkey. Here is a summary of the impact.
Parents’ View:
At the end of the project, 100% of parents agreed that the number sense challenge had benefited their child.
Children’s Perception:
Across KS1 and KS2, 153 children participated in the exit survey.
109 children (71%) felt their confidence had increased since the start of the project.
On the 1-10 scale, children’s confidence increased (on average) by 2.0 points to 8.9 out of 10.
The following chart shows this breakdown by year group.
Year |
Focus
|
Confidence Rate (Scale 1-10) |
Impact |
||
Baseline |
Exit |
Increase in Point Score |
Confidence Increase (%) |
||
1 |
|
4.8 |
8.8 |
3.0 |
88 |
2 |
|
6.8 |
8.7 |
1.9 |
69 |
3 |
1 |
7.2 |
9.3 |
2.1 |
63 |
|
2 |
5.4 |
8.3 |
2.9 |
78 |
4 |
|
7.0 |
8.9 |
1.9 |
75 |
5 |
1 |
8.2 |
9.1 |
0.9 |
67 |
|
2 |
7.2 |
8.1 |
0.9 |
63 |
6 |
1 |
8.4 |
9.4 |
1.0 |
64 |
|
2 |
8.0 |
9.3 |
1.3 |
86 |
Data:
A baseline assessment was given at the beginning of week 1 and was repeated at the end of week 6. Each class created a baseline/exit test focusing on the areas of improvement within their own class.
Year |
Focus |
Baseline * (Average Marks on Test) |
Exit * (Average Marks on Test) |
Impact (Increase in Average Marks on Test) |
1 |
|
11.1 (25) |
16.65 |
5.55 |
2 |
|
15.24 (42) |
24.72 |
9.48 |
3 |
1 |
10.70 (20) |
15.33 |
4.63 |
|
2 |
5.93 (20) |
13.19 |
7.26 |
5 |
1 |
6.77 (12) |
9.37 |
2.6 |
|
2 |
5.57 (12) |
6.60 |
1.03 |
6 |
1 |
15.71 (25) |
16.46 |
0.75 |
* Brackets indicate total score available in each year group.
In Reception, over the 6 weeks, they learnt to recognise numbers, one more, one less and number bonds to 10.
Focus |
Baseline * (Average Marks on Test) |
Exit * (Average Marks on Test) |
Impact (Increase in Average Marks on Test) |
Number Recognition |
17.45 (20) |
18.12 |
0.67 |
One More |
2.52 (3) |
2.93 |
0.41 |
One Less |
2.14 (3) |
2.67 |
0.53 |
Number Bonds |
3.52 (9) |
8.56 |
5.04 |
Over the next six weeks we will using a variety of teaching and learning methods to improve our number sense. Details for individual classes can be found on the individual class pages.
On this blog, and on the individual class pages, we will be providing details of resources we have used, or have been recommended to us by the children, to support their learning.
There are many elements to developing good number sense. These include:
- Counting - learning number names, counting forwards and backwards and counting in multiples
- Comparing - having a feel for the relative size of numbers, putting them in order and estimating
- Composition - understanding that each number can be made in many different ways using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Please help us to develop your child’s number sense by encouraging them to consolidate their learning through homework, Sumdog challenges, games etc.
If you have any questions, or would like any help with ideas to support your child, please contact either myself or the individual class teachers.
Many thanks for your support.
Rachael Holmes
Mathematics Subject Lead