Any KS1/KS2 Teachers On Here?

Well are there?

If so can any of you point me in the direction of some good teaching resources for my 5 year old, particularly in regard to Maths.

He started school in September, but always wants to do sums at home and is almost as good at maths as my 9 year old, despite him only being in reception.

The problem I have is I don't want to teach him any bad habits and would like to be able to do stuff with him but know that I am not contradicting any teaching he may receive.

Any advice gratefully received.

Kev

[Jayneflakes]

I am really a KS5 teacher, (Post Compulsory Education and Training - occasionally picking up where school failed with literacy and numeracy, but most often work related skills and learning.) but have worked at KS3 and KS4 in a Plymouth school.

Anyway, you can't go wrong if you teach your child the basics. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These days kids are not taught the rote learning of times tables, so teaching your young 'un the joy of Maths could well stand you in good stead in the long run. Given that everything else in mathematics is based on these principles, getting them nailed now, will keep your child well ahead in school and college. Good measurement skills in metres, centimetres and millimetres will also help.

Developing an interest in reading could also benefit your child. Have a look at some of the classics that they are unlikely to read in school. Wind in the Willows seems to be a forgotten classic these days. I loved that as a child. From my own experience, I was reading many years ahead of my class mates at age eight and to this day have a real love of literature.

I have not met a teacher yet who is unhappy with a parent guiding a child towards greater understanding. The only times I have seen difficulties is when religion and science clash. Seeing a poor child stand up and claim that creationism is the truth and Evolution is a lie can be heart rending, especially when the National Curriculum for science teaches basic Darwinian theory. That becomes hard because as teachers we do not actively encourage pupils into dispute with parents.

Have a look here, if you feel up to wading through.

Good luck and try teaching young ones that there is fun to be had in learning and that will be your biggest hurdle over with.

[5hort5]

I'll ask the misses she was a primary teacher

Ive taught across the age range at primary. Theres loads of resources on the net with games etc that will keep the fun in maths - key to all education - Google it. Look in your bookstores theres always a section with workbooks.

My best advice would be make it real to him - cooking is a good all round maths activity that covers loads of different elements and you'll enjoy it more to, constructing using lego, k'nex is good to. Don't forget jigsaws have their place ib the world for spatial awareness and games are always a brilliant way that you can all get involved.

Talk to his teacher and see what their advice is - its always an interesting discussion!!!!!! The concepts side they'll deal with but there's no right or wrong way just fashion trends from those that need to stay in a job - the more ways he can work things out the better.

Most of all don't forget that maths is essential to life but growing up being a well rounded, balanced engaged and active learner in all aspects of education will prepare him for the world that we live in.

Lou

Why not also get him to help out with every-day sums, like adding up the prices of stuff, that sort of thing. I have noted that many kids dislike maths because they can't see the link between the theory and real life. If you can instill that link now, then when he gets to doing things like algebra much (much) later on, he might just see the point of it all

Kev, we use some material from WH Smiths for our 7yr-old. It's called the "Challenge" series and its there 'own brand' version but we find that works quite well. It covers maths, science and various languages at the different KS levels.

HTH

[Richie]

I believe Mrs Bluepete is a KS1 KS2 teacher.