Di led an Extended Professional Development Initiative with 14 schools in Sheffield focusing on Talk for Maths Mastery (TFMM). It built on a previous initiative – Talk for Reading. The cluster worked together as a community of learners for over two years, an inspiring experience as the group developed their thinking and practice together, sharing ideas and co-constructing good early years practice.
The work focused on two important questions:
– How do we make sure that we maintain the momentum of children’s mathematical development and learning from 2yrs old to 6+ (Y1) – building firm foundations on children’s starting points?
And
– How do we make the links across children’s mathematical development making sure that the next steps of learning and teaching support their progress from 2yrs old to Y1?
The group created a Talk for Maths Mastery Exemplification called ‘Recognising children’s mathematical mastery in their child-led play in the EYFS and Year one. This looks at the continuum of learning from 2yrs old to 6+ in 6 Areas;
– Games
– Creating and thinking critically – Problem-solving
– Following children’s interests
– Mathematical mark making
– Sensory Materials
– Construction
As well as; A whole class approach to building on the mathematical thinking in child-led interest and Floor Books.
Talk for Maths Mastery can be delivered as a days cpd or better still as an extended cpd initiative and is based on this work and the exemplification, particularly focusing on;
– The principles of Talk for Maths Mastery including using self-evaluation and action planning
– Using narrative Learning Stories to look more deeply at child-led play, talking, thinking and learning. Sharing case studies from 2yrs old to Y1
– The Transition of Pedagogy and the continuity of experience and progression for children in practice
– Connections to Sustained Shared Thinking and the Characteristics of effective learning (particularly Creating and thinking critically)
– Exploring what we mean by Maths Mastery?
– Case studies from the TFMM Exemplification
TFMM looks at the transition of mathematical development from 2yrs old to Y1 and is aimed at all those who work with children across this age range, as well as maths co-ordinators, Senior leads, Head Teachers and Managers.