Why does my school need SPEAR Maths?
SPEAR Maths equips teachers and pupils with a comprehensive range of materials that promote the development of Maths problem-solving skills. Resources are continuously being updated but currently include:
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Over 550 collated new and familiar problems in a searchable database so that you can easily find suitable materials for pupils to work on, attractively presented with answers, supporting notes and resources, links to other problems and key objectives. All money problems now include versions in euros and cents
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Next steps records for each level of AT1 Maths for each of five problem types (or for each year group for Y1-Y7: 2014 curriculum)
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Detailed advice for next teaching steps and exemplars describing the sort of evidence that will indicate that the pupil is meeting each level descriptor
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Self-evaluation sheets for each problem type addressing each step of SPEAR
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Key questions for each stage of SPEAR for each type of problem
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‘Help Me’ statements giving advice for the next thing to try if pupils are stuck (thus promoting independent learning and reducing dependency on adult support)
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Activity sheets for recording pupil thinking within supporting scaffold appropriate to the type of problem being tackled
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Pupil target cards for each NC Level (or for each year group: 2014 curriculum)
SPEAR Maths schools enjoy unlimited access to regularly updated resources, new problems and materials that can be downloaded as many times as required.
SPEAR Maths is compatible with, but not restricted to, the National Curriculum for Maths and has been completely updated in line with the 2014 National Curriculum.
Note: In the new curriculum (2014), problem-solving and the development of mathematical reasoning form two of the three aims. Schools will need to create ways of delivering these aims with little support from the NC materials currently available.
Although written for primary schools, SPEAR Maths can also be used to support the development of Maths problem-solving skills in KS3 for pupils working at NC levels 1-5