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Length of Course : First year of a two year Key Stage 3 course
Course description and aims
Mathematics is important in everyday life and the study of mathematics enables students to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding to relevant real-world situations.
In Key Stage 3, pupils in mathematics follow the 2014 National Framework. Pupils are encouraged to develop and practise their mental arithmetic skills and formalise their recording of mathematics by developing standard methods. The work covered in Year 7 builds on the Key Stage 2 mathematics curriculum.
Year 7 students are taught in ability sets and they have six mathematics lessons per fortnight.
Main concepts and topics covered
Number and Algebra
Geometry and Measure
Statistics
Mathematical reasoning and applications
Contents
Students in Year 7 will cover the following concepts:
Analysing and Displaying Data
Number Skills
Expressions, Functions and Formulae
Fractions
Angles and Shapes
Decimals
Equations
Multiplicative Reasoning
Perimeter, Area and Volume
Sequences and Graphs
Transformations
Probability
Ratio and Proportion
Course outcomes
The study of mathematics encourages your child to develop the following skills:
mathematical logical reasoning, and problem-solving
increasing fluency in computation
developing competence with formal algebra
developing an understanding of 2D and 3D shapes
handling data
estimation
the ability to think in abstract ways
Types of assessment
Assessment by the teacher is carried out during the learning process through a variety of tasks including formative and summative assessments. The department runs several written formal assessments during the year including a KS3 End of year exam in May/June (the PT tests).
In addition, teachers use the ActiveLearn interactive digital resources, Matshwatch videos and worksheets, MyMaths tasks, starters, observation, and written work marking.
Students are encouraged to make self-assessments by reflecting on their work and completing the student appraisal before the Student Led Conferences (SLC).
Methodology
A variety of teaching styles are used to cater to the different learning styles of students. A range of activities that involve individual work, group work, project work, flipped learning, challenges, and investigations are used to deliver the curriculum.
Text and materials
Pearson KS3 Maths Progress Theta 1 and Delta 1. Students have access to the Pearson Digital Platform called ActiveLearn. The link to the website is ActiveLearn (pearsonactivelearn.com).
Students also have access to Mathswtach https://vle.mathswatch.co.uk/vle/ and MyMaths www.mymaths.co.uk
These materials are supplemented by a wide variety of teachers’ personal favourite worksheets, educational games, and activities, such as Mangahigh, BSME Challenge, etc.
Useful websites:
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/maths/
http://nrich.maths.org/students
Grading policy
Both formative (teacher-student) and summative (formal test) assessments are referenced to the criteria of Key Stage 3 stanines. The system is based on 1 to 9, 8 being the equivalent of an A*.
Teachers report progress and attainment to parents 3 times a year. Students are encouraged to be aware of their progress through a gap analysis which will help them to set their personal targets.
Additional expectations
Year 7 are expected to complete one homework a week lasting approximately 30 minutes.
Activities at home:
Encourage your child to practice mental arithmetic- working out change in shops, playing number, board and card games, practicing arithmetic, using timetables and completing additional activities from the available resources.
Students are expected to have: a ruler, calculator, pen, pencil, geometry set, laptop (BYOD), and their exercise books for every lesson.
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