Primary maths

Make the steps in a sum clearA child may know the times tables but still get stuck on a word problem. We start with a few tasks from school and ask your child to explain each choice. This shows us whether the difficulty is reading the question, choosing an operation or doing the calculation.We use counters, number lines and simple drawings when an idea is hard to picture. Then we move towards the notation used in class. We keep the amount of new work small, so there is time to repeat it without rushing.What we can practiseTimes tables, division and place valueFractions, decimals and percentagesTime, money, length and other measurementsTurning a word problem into a calculationBring schoolwork alongA workbook, recent exercise or note from school helps us choose a starting point. A session lasts 45 minutes. We finish with a task your child tries alone and a short explanation of what to practise next. We discuss progress with parents without promising a particular test score. For extra practice at home, we suggest a small task that fits the school week.

Prepare for your lesson

Start with a real question

Bring an exercise you found difficult and the work you have already tried. We use it to decide what to practise first. A mistake is a useful starting point for an explanation.