Learning and Teaching
Teaching & Learning
Shining the Light on the Process, Not Just the Product
I absolutely love Christmas. In fact, I have already started decorating my house, planning gifts, making craft, even creating some unique advent activities for school! Don't worry - all will be revealed soon!
It is this lead up to Christmas that I love the most! Of course, I adore Christmas Day - but I cherish the process!
Let's take this concept and connect to learning in the classroom. In our busy world, it’s easy to focus on the finished piece of work — the neat handwriting, the polished project, the perfect score. But in classrooms, the real magic often happens long before that final version appears.
Learning is messy, creative, and full of false starts. It’s the scribbles in the margins, the questions that change direction, the “aha” moments that come after multiple tries. When we look closely, it’s clear that the process — the thinking, the persistence, the reflection — is where growth truly happens.
As teachers, we try to make that process visible. You’ll often see students revisiting drafts, sharing feedback, or explaining their thinking out loud. These moments build resilience and confidence — skills that matter far beyond the classroom walls.
At home, you might notice your child talking about what they found tricky or how they improved. These are signs of powerful learning in action. So next time your child brings home a piece of work, try asking, “What did you learn while you were making this?” rather than, “What mark did you get?”
Because when we celebrate the process, not just the product, we remind children that effort, curiosity, and growth are what truly shine.
Mrs Hodgetts
Mathematics in Everyday Life
Many of us think of mathematics as something that happens only in classrooms — with pencils, paper, and number problems. Yet, in reality, maths is woven into our daily lives in countless ways, often without us even realising it.
From telling the time and following a recipe to budgeting for groceries or planning a family outing, mathematical thinking helps us make sense of the world and make better decisions. When children divide up snacks, compare prices, or estimate how long a task will take, they are using the same reasoning and problem-solving skills that underpin formal mathematics learning.
In the workplace, maths is essential too — whether it’s measuring materials in construction, calculating data in business, or programming technology and games. These real-world applications show children that mathematics is not just about numbers on a page, but about logic, patterns, and practical problem-solving.
By helping children notice the maths all around them — in shopping, cooking, travel, and play — we can build their confidence and show them that mathematical thinking is a lifelong skill. Maths is everywhere, and it truly matters.
Fun Ways to Explore Maths at Home
Mathematics doesn’t have to stop when the school day ends — in fact, some of the best mathematical learning happens naturally through play, conversation, and everyday activities at home. Here are a few simple and enjoyable ways to explore maths together as a family:
1. In the kitchen
Cooking and baking are full of mathematical opportunities! Children can measure ingredients, double or halve recipes, set timers, and estimate quantities. It’s a delicious way to explore fractions, volume, and time.
2. When shopping
Ask your child to compare prices, calculate totals, or estimate the cost before you reach the checkout. Older children can look for “best value” items by comparing prices per unit — a real-life lesson in problem-solving.
3. During play
Board games, card games, and puzzles encourage counting, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking. Even Lego building, craft projects, and block play involve shapes, symmetry, and spatial awareness.
4. Outdoors
Take maths outside! Measure the growth of plants, count steps between landmarks, estimate distances, or explore shapes and angles in playground equipment. The natural world is full of patterns waiting to be noticed.
5. Around the home
Sorting laundry by size or colour, setting the table for a certain number of people, or planning how to rearrange furniture all involve mathematical thinking in practical ways.
Everyday experiences like these help children see maths as meaningful, useful, and fun. By encouraging curiosity and conversation around numbers, shapes, and patterns, families can build mathematical confidence and enjoyment — one small moment at a time.
Nicola Toney (Maths Leader F-6)