Mathematics

In Mathematics, learners will explore key foundational concepts that will set the stage for their future learning. We will start with "part-part-whole" addition, a strategy that helps children understand how numbers can be split into parts and combined to form a whole. This method encourages a deep understanding of how addition works, as students will use manipulatives and visual aids to physically see the numbers come together. This hands-on approach not only makes learning fun but also builds a strong conceptual base that is essential for their mathematical development. Following this unit, students will delve into subtraction, learning to recognise and calculate differences between numbers. Using concrete examples, they will practise taking away objects and numbers, which will help them understand subtraction as the inverse of addition. In addition to these operations, our young learners will explore shapes and place value. They will engage in activities that will help them identify and describe different geometric shapes, fostering their ability to recognise and classify objects in their environment. Understanding place value is crucial as it lays the groundwork for working with larger numbers. By learning to group numbers into tens and ones, students will gain a better grasp of our number system, which will be instrumental in their future math learning. This term's focus on these essential math skills will ensure our prep students develop a strong and confident start to their mathematical journey.

Key Vocabulary:

Part, whole, addition, subtraction, add, subtract, take away, more, less, two dimensional, three-dimensional, vertex, sides, corners, tens, ones

How can you support your child’s Mathematics learning at home?  

To support your child’s learning you could:

• Practise verbally skip counting (10s, 5s) in turns, making it a game. For example, Parent, “10”, child, “20”, parent “30”... and so on with any number combination.
• Practise counting on and counting back from 20 and beyond. 
• Go on a number hunt around your neighborhood. Look for one, two, or three-digit numbers and have your child read them out loud. Discuss each number and ask how many ones, tens, or hundreds are in the number. What is the largest number you can find? What is the smallest number?
• Make snack time educational by using food to explore shapes. Cut sandwiches into triangles, serve circular fruit slices, or arrange vegetables into different shapes on a plate. Discuss the shapes as you enjoy the snack together. 
• Provide your child with construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers, and let them create pictures or collages using different shapes. They can make a house from squares and triangles or design a car with circles and rectangles. This hands-on activity not only reinforces their understanding of shapes but also enhances their fine motor skills and artistic expression.