At Sunnyside ELC, the numeracy experiences on offer are cross curricular. This ensures that learning is relevant, shows breadth and depth, is challenging and enjoyable, offers choice for children, shows progression and is coherent.
Some of the experiences on offer include;
- FoNS bags (The Foundational Number Sense) which are designed for staff to work closely with children 1:1 or in small groups to support or challenge individual children. These bags are also sent home for family learning. They enable children to develop a secure understanding of the concepts and processes of mathematics.
- Active Number groups where children learn and develop essential numeracy skills, through develop and challenging play experiences.
- Cuisenaire rods are mathematics learning aids for students that provide an interactive, hands-on way to explore mathematics and learn mathematical concepts, such as patterns, concept of numbers and size.
Numeracy and mathematical thinking encompasses many different elements including recognition of numerical symbols, verbalising numbers and being able to recognise patterns and shapes. It involves many different skills such as understanding numbers, counting, problem solving, measuring, sorting and patterning. However, numeracy is not only about developing these skills.
It is also about having the ability to apply these concepts in all areas of life. Therefore numeracy should be embedded throughout the curriculum and the environment and should not simply be seen as an area on its own – Realising The Ambition:Being Me, 2020.
Some of our children’s responses to numeracy:
- “Look at those numbers, that’s a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 and a 12”
- ” I like squares”
- “that’s a huge pattern”
