Mathematics 

Stage 1 Maths

This first three weeks the Stage 1 students are learning about multiplication and forming groups. During this time they will be focusing on:

Rhythmic and skip counting

Number words sequences for fives and tens produce a rhythm. This rhythm can be used in choral counting. Skip counting by two can develop from counting aloud and:

• stressing each second number: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 …
• skipping over the non-stressed numbers: 2, 4, 6 … 

Arrays

An array is one of several different arrangements that can be used to model multiplicative situations involving whole numbers.

An array is made by arranging a set of objects, such as counters or pictures, into columns and rows:

• each column must contain the same number of items as the other columns
• each row must contain the same number of items as the other rows.

Students should focus on using groups of, before progressing to rows of and columns of. Although the array is a powerful mathematical model, it requires students to identify groups in two directions. Coordinating between columns and rows is much more difficult than using groups of with repeated addition.

Below you can see the students learning about multiplication.

What Can Parents do to support their child's learning?

You can help your Year 1 and Year 2 child at home by:

-playing skip counting games or taking turns to count by 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s

-using 5c, 10c or $2 coins to skip count money

-drawing a skip counting hopscotch path with chalk. Use the hopscotch path in reverse to skip count backwards.

-Using sticky dots, textas, M&Ms, playdough or Lego to make groups and getting children to write the repeated addition facts to match.

-Use paddle pop sticks to create groups and add them together to multiply and find your answer.

-Try a 100s chart and colour in the numbers as you add on top of them to find the answer to your question.

-Can you find any patterns?

-Arrays are a grid-like pattern. Explore around you and find arrays! It could be a bookshelf, the kitchen drawers or the plates laid at the dinner table. Work out what these arrays are (their rows and columns) and their answer if they were multiplied.

-A fun way to show arrays is to bake some muffins or cookies and multiply the rows and columns to work out how many you will make.

-Make arrays with items around the house. Challenge yourselves to see who can make the arrays in the fastest time!