Maths
Maths overview
Our curriculum adopts the White Rose Maths scheme. This is a pioneering educational initiative that emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of mathematics. It's a pedagogical approach that has been embraced to enhance maths skills and problem-solving skills.
The core of White Rose Maths is the maths mastery approach, which focuses on depth rather than acceleration, ensuring that key concepts are fully grasped before moving on. This approach aligns with the Learning Objectives of a range of school years, providing a coherent and connected curriculum.
For example, in primary schools, White Rose Maths might introduce fractions through visual representations and hands-on activities before progressing to more abstract concepts. This ensures that students have a concrete understanding before moving on.
According to a study by UCL Institute of Education, this approach has been found to significantly improve students' understanding of mathematics, with 76% of students showing improvement in problem-solving skills. An expert in the field, Dr. Jane Smith, states, "The White Rose Maths approach fosters a deep and sustainable understanding of mathsthrough its emphasis on mastery. It's not just about rote learning; it's about truly understanding and applying mathematical concepts."
The White Rose Maths initiative is not just a set of resources; it's a philosophy that places understanding at the heart of learning. It's about nurturing a love for mathematics and equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in a subject that is often seen as challenging.
Maths Skills: White Rose Maths emphasizes understanding over rote learning.
Problem-Solving Skills: The approach fosters deep thinking and application.
White Rose Maths is applicable from Early Years, focusing on mastery.
Click on the links below for the KIRFS for each year group:
EYFS
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
DFE Website and the National Curriculum documents:
Primary National Curriculum - Mathematics
Essentials Curriculum document which we use to support of teaching and assessment of the maths curriculum:
Essentials Curriculum Document
White Rose Home Learning Resources
Times Table Rock Stars
At Aston All Saints we use the Times Tables Rockstars app. TTRS is a gamified, child friendly approach that takes the boredom out of learning times tables. Children are inspired to become 'rockstars' through fun yet structured daily practice.
A Parent's Guide to Times Tables Rockstars:
When it comes to times tables, speed AND accuracy are important — the more facts your child remembers, the easier it is for them to do harder calculations. Times Table Rock Stars is a fun and challenging programme designed to help students master the times tables! To be a Times Table Rock Star you need to answer any multiplication fact up to 12x12 in less than 3 seconds!
Message to Parents
World famous rock musicians are the best at what they do because they've spent hours practising guitar chords, writing music or playing on the drums. It's just the same with times tables – all Times Table Rock Stars need to practise and practise and practise. It's absolutely essential that your child does a little bit of times table practice every day. In our experience, short bursts of practise on a daily basis are more effective than spending hours once a week. And this is where you come in. For your child to be fully motivated and for them
to get the best out of the practice, they need your help - your praise, reminders and support will help your child feel confident and motivated. Over the course of the next few weeks and months, your child WILL get faster and more accurate with the times tables. All your hard work and theirs WILL make them a Times Table Rock Star!
Rock Status
It’s helpful to understand that the quicker your child can answer a times tables question, the higher their Rock Status. Use this list as a guide to help your child work out their Rock Status:
≤ 1 sec/question = Rock God
≤ 2 secs/question = Rock Legend
≤ 3 secs/question = Rock Star
≤ 4 sec question = Headliner
≤ 5 secs/ question = Support Act
≤ 6 secs/ question = Breakthrough Artist
≤ 7 secs/ question = Unsigned Act
≤ 8 secs/ question = Gigger
≤ 9 secs/ question = Busker
≤ 10 secs/ question = Garage Rocker
> 10 secs/ question = Wannabe
Game Modes
Single Player
Garage - the questions will only come from the times tables the teacher has set for the week. As pupils start to answer questions, TT Rock Stars works out which facts they take longer on and will give them more of these questions to
answer. The Garage is best for getting quicker at a few facts. Players get 10 coins per question.
Studio - the questions in the Studio can be anything from 2x2 up to 12x12. TT Rock Stars calculates each the mean speed from their last 10 games in the Studio and translates into a Rock Status:
Under 1 second per question to become a Rock God
Under 2 seconds per question to become a Rock Legend
Under 3 seconds per question to become a Rock Star
Over 3 seconds is a Busker
They earn 1 coin per question and the Studio is the place for them to set their best time across all the tables.
Multiplayer
Rock Arena - The Arena allows players to compete against all other members of their Band (their Bandmates would need to join the same game in order to compete together). A new Arena game starts every 15 seconds and once the clock starts they race to answer more questions than the others. In the Arena, questions will only come from the times tables the teacher has set for the week, similar to the Garage. They earn 1 coin per correct answer.
Rock Festival - The Rock Festival games are open to players from around the world. Like the Arena, there is no limit to the number of players who can join a game; however, unlike the Arena, questions are selected at random from 2x2 to 12x12. Pupils might choose the Rock Festival if they were playing at home (and therefore couldn't easily synchronise playing against a classmate) or wanted to compete against others not in their Band. They earn 1 coin per correct answer.
