Giving access to Numeracy

·    Shopping together – estimating weights, lengths, estimating the total price. How much change will I get ?

·    Looking at and playing with numbers.

·    Telling the time – use both digital and analogue.

·    T.V. guides – How long will the programme last ?

·    Measuring items at home – use metric as well as imperial.

·     Bus / train timetables.

·     Cooking.

Playing Games

·    Learning the rules.

·    Taking turns to play the game.

·    A wide range of games provide good practice of mathematical skills – often without appearing to do so.

·    Games to play :

Yahtzee

    Cards

    Dominoes

    Battleships

    Darts

    Countdown

    Uno

    Monopoly

    Ludo

Homework

·    Times tables – start with the basics. Ensure very clear knowledge not just the pattern.

·    Problem solving – setting puzzles for your child to work out.

·     Number bonds up to 10/ 20/ 50/ 100/ 1000

·    At Key Stage 2, Numeracy homework is always set on a Friday, to be handed in on   Monday.

·   Any practice is good practice.

Speaking & Listening

·      Answering the telephone.

·      Talking as a family.

·      Talking at the dinner table.

·      Discuss books, read together.

·      Taking messages between adults.

·      Encourage your child to repeat things back to you.

·      Play games, talk through the rules and tactics of playing.

Reading

·    Encourage your child to read with a range of people.

·     Read frequently.

·     Keep a dialogue with your child’s teacher.

·    Visit the library to find books that your child is interested in or that are relevant to    class topics.

·    Ask questions and talk about the main characters, the setting or the reasons for an event taking place.

Writing

·    Encourage your child to write at every opportunity – shopping lists, thank you letters, invitations.

·     Give your child a calendar or diary to fill in.

·     Make sure pens and paper are available for writing.

·     Encourage your child to value writing.

·     Help your child to find cues to learn their spellings.

·     Let your child see you writing.

Questions to ask your child when reading together

·    Where did the story take place ?

·    What has happened so far ?

·    Which part of the story best describes the setting ?

·     Who are the main characters in the book ?

·     What are the characters like ?

·     Which character would you like to be ? Why ?

·     Who is the author of the book ?

·     Do you know any other stories by the same author ?

·     Can you predict what is going to happen next ?

·    If you were the author, how would you change the ending ?

·    Which phrases do you think are the most descriptive ?

·    Would you recommend this book to anyone else ? Why ?

·     Is the book as good as the blurb says it is ?

·     What would you put in the blurb ?

·    If you could change anything about the book, what would it be ?

·    What picture would you put on the front cover if you were the illustrator ? Why ?