The ‘Perfect’ Day for Maths

28/6

Why was that date so special? And why was 28th June such a ‘Perfect’ Day to:

• celebrate the enjoyment of teaching mathematics
• explore the beauty, power, curiosity of mathematics with our pupils
• do something different in mathematics lessons
• investigate rich and deep mathematics
• create a buzz about mathematics in our school

Well…
28 and 6 are both perfect numbers^* and so it’s the ‘Perfect’ day to celebrate the teaching and learning of mathematics.

*A perfect number is a positive integer that is equal to the sum of its proper divisors.

Or, in other words, a number that equals the sum of its factors

e.g. The factors of 6 are 1, 2 and 3 AND 1 + 2 + 3 = 6

Here are some pictures showing the exciting work that Prince Edward completed on the ‘Perfect’ Maths Day…

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Jade Class even focussed solely on perfect numbers and were undertook an investigation to find the next perfect number after 6 and 28.

The children at Prince Edward School really enjoyed Maths Day and felt like they had learned a lot. Here is what a few of our pupils had to say about maths:

“I have enjoyed maths today because we got to use our creative skills as well as our maths skills. We had to calculate the area of a building and make it 3D. We got the chance to design our own idea. We created a plan for a football tournament. I had to use my area and perimeter skills, as well as my measuring skills – Jack (Y5)

 

“I liked using column method today in maths but I also got to use my mental maths skills – I find it tricky sometimes to do my calculations in my head to using written methods really helps me. I also liked drawing circles with a compass (and colouring them in) and I’ve got much better with that today. I also liked working with fractions, but they were a bit hard.” – Mackenzie (Y6).

Talk for Maths Workshop

‘Talk for Maths’ is a maths initiative which not only attempts to raise the profile of numeracy in schools but also uses continuous provision to encourage children to challenge themselves and begin to do good maths, independently.

This initiative also helps aid the transition from Nursery right through to Year 1, by ensuring that a child’s maths learning is built on year by year, rather than allowing the same learning to potentially be repeated each year.

Prince Edward School has taken this initiative a step further by encouraging parents/guardians to participate in their child’s maths learning. We believe this is an important part of a child’s education, particularly in this core subject, as it helps parents to support their child not only with their homework, but also with any independent study that child/parent may wish to undertake at home.

As a result, this week Prince Edward held a Talk for Maths Parent Morning Workshop, which allowed parents to witness and take part in their children’s numeracy work while understanding what the expectations are for children, in maths, in KS1. The main aim of this workshop was to engage parents in children’s maths learning so it could be continued at home.