Next week is Maths Week! Throughout the week classes will have an extra special focus on maths - paying attention to where maths is hiding in our everyday lives, linking maths into other curriculum areas, such as reading, and doing fun and engaging activities!

There are also lots of great things you could be doing at home to help to celebrate Maths Week! Here are a few simple ideas:

• Nature Scavenger Hunt - use “maths eyes” when walking to or from school or the shops - what numbers? Patterns? Shapes? Can you see? How many trees can you count?

• Licence Plate Hunt - search for certain numbers on the number plates you pass as you drive, or practise adding by quickly finding the total by adding up the numbers on the number plate

• Reading labels - practise reading numbers using the labels on the back of packets in your pantry or fridge

• Baking/cooking - measuring practise

• Play cards

• Create patterns with blocks or lego

• Estimate lengths/weights then measure to check

• Engage your child in discussions about “more” or “less” - do I have more potatoes on my plate or more pumpkin? Is this pile of plates more or less than the other? Do I have more or less in my cup than you?

NZ Maths has a range of fantastic ideas to incorporate maths at home. Click here to take you to their Maths at Our House page.

The following grid has links to a range of wonderful ideas for exploring maths at home from Jo Boaler’s YouCubed website. Jo Boaler is well-known for her work around creating positive mathematical mindsets. Click on the links below to take you to an explanation. 

Counting All The Things

Number Hunt

How Tall Is That Tree

Estimating

What's Going On Outside Your Window

Pick Up Leaves

Articles:

If you are interested in learning more from Jo Boaler, here are two links to articles she has written, found on the YouCubed website:

12 Steps to Increase Your Child’s Math Achievement and Make Math Fun

Parents Belief About Math Changes Their Children’s Achievement