Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right.
- Henry Ford
All students can enjoy and improve their achievement in mathematics. It is no longer acceptable to say that only certain types of people can learn mathematics.
This site, co-founded by Dave Bowman (@Maths4UkPLC), Steve Lomax (@MaxTheMaths) and Liz Hopkins (@BuzzardPublish), provides ideas and links to resources to support teachers and parents to help children and students believe they 'Can Do Maths'.
Colin believes that you can enjoy and achieve in mathematics with:
Convincing, justifying and explaining to others.
The answer is only the beginning.
Applying to different contexts, solving problems and making connections.
Understanding what it's 'not' as well as what it is.
Drawing the concept to 'see' structures and relationships.
It's OK not to be able to do it......yet.
It's OK to make mistakes.
Teaching that focuses on developing secure and deep understanding, including the use of practical resources and iconic representations supports the learning and memorisation of mathematical concepts. The teaching of 'rules' and 'tricks' with no understanding and the use of only ‘standard’ examples contribute to learners feeling they 'can't do' maths.
All learners need to believe they can succeed and also believe that their teacher, and parents, believe they can succeed. Adopting a growth mindset is at the heart of a 'Can Do Maths’ approach including the use of 'yet’ and knowing that making mistakes is an essential part of learning. Parents, teachers and the media thinking it's acceptable to use phrases such as 'Don't worry, I can't do maths', 'Maths is too hard', etc all contribute to learners feeling that they 'can't do' maths.
Success comes from hard work. It's as simple as that! Mathematics can be difficult at times but success can be achieved through hard work. Check out the thoughts of Adam Peaty and of Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge from the Rio Olympics.
An infinite number of context free questions based on the structure of the KS1 and KS2 Arithmetic Papers. Click here to access purposeful practice of different types of calculations and also ideal discussion prompts - Can the calculation be done 'In Your Head', 'With Jottings' or 'Using a Written Method'?
Click on the 'Whole Paper' button to produce an 'Arithmetic Quiz' - all 36 questions in test format!
More information about how to access all these amazing resources here
Memberships available for whole school or individuals
Nine amazing posters for the classroom to celebrate the habits of a mathematician - Pattern Sniffing, Experimenting, Describing, Tinkering, Inventing, Visualising, Conjecturing, Guessing - based on the work of Al Cuoco, Click here for Colin's special compilation poster.
Colin's 4Cs ... CONSIDER > CONSTRUCT > CALCULATE > CHECK ... is a powerful framework to support pupils with solving word problems based on Geroge Polya's 'How to solve a maths problem'
Resources include: ArithmeChecks (2A, 4A, 6A), ArithmeKits (Primary, Secondary) and ArithmePractice Sample. Find out more about CanDoArithmetic by clicking here.
Resources include Activity Mat, Poster and 'Knowledge Parties'. Find out more about CanDo21 by clicking here.
In addition to Maths Lessons, 'MathsOnTrack (MOT)' sessions provide essential opportunities for
- deliberate practice
- consolidation
- same day/same week 'prevent the gap' intervention
- deepening understanding
This calendar provides a week by week, term by term structure for MOT sessions.
Struggling how to cover the remaining content of the Year 6 Programme of Study and also address the Year 3/4/5 content of the KS2 Test Framework? Here is a suggested 15 week breakdown for Maths Lessons and Maths On Track Sessions. Supporting CanDoFractions, CanDoSATs, CanDoGeometry, CanDoTimesTables and ArithmeKits can be found here.
Great interview with Professor Mike Askew
Carol Dweck TED talk on the power of believing that improvement is always possible and the power of YET!
Recent report from Stanford University
Videos and presentations to help teachers and parents develop adaptive mindsets
Set of classrooms posters to help develop a positive 'can do' atmosphere in the mathematics classroom
Resources from the YouCubed team for both parents and teachers
If you would like to get in touch, please fill in the contact form below: