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Mathematics

Mathematics teaching at Lower Park is organised to present learning in real life situations and thereby encouraging pupils to use apply their knowledge and understanding. The concepts covered are; aspects of number, including the four rules, shape, area, data handling, money, length, weight, volume, capacity, time, angles and probability. Mental arithmetic is vitally important. Computers are used in a variety of ways to introduce, develop, test and reinforce many of these mathematical concepts. The School has successfully implemented the National Numeracy Initiative.

It is also proud that two members of staff are Leading Maths teachers for Cheshire.

Whatever you are studying in Maths or Number Work there maybe something useful for you to look at on the web. Here is a list of useful sites which may help with your number work, help to learn those awful tables, or make sure you get top marks in your tests.

If you come across other good Maths sites e-mail them to your Lower Park Web Editors saying why you think they are 'cool'.

5Geokids Puzzles Page
Here is a site simply jam-packed with English and maths puzzles at all levels up to Key Stage 3. Some really are puzzles whilst others are online Activity Sheets, but most are very useful. They are graded and teachers will need to have an inkling of the American system before fully understanding this. A visit or two to randomly-selected puzzles will easily sort this out. Links and basic descriptions are all given from the first page.

A+ Math
This is a collection of fun tools to encourage youngsters to learn some basic skills. There are flash cards, numeric problems and questions, as well as a games room with a large selection of Java-based and non-Java games to try. The homework helper is a nice attraction that could be a useful tool for the less able student while the flashcards offer an excellent way to practise the times tables.

Algebra - Fun with Calendars
Here is a fun mathematical puzzle for Key Stage 2 - all that is needed is a calendar and some friends (or a teacher) to play it with. A great deal of logical thinking is needed and the games develop intermediate algebra skills as well as some basic number manipulation.

ArgoSphere
Excellent animation combined with a variety of different approaches for different age groups makes this one of the best educational sites around. Games, puzzles and quizzes for ages 3 to 13+ are backed up with worksheets, software and ideas for teachers. This is a great all-round resource, particularly for the Literacy Hour and Daily Maths Lesson, but you do need an advanced browser with JavaScript to get the most out of it.

BasketMath Interactive Learning
An interactive, fun game that helps Key Stage 2 pupils learn addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, decimals, verbal reasoning and much more. Quickfire questions are given depending upon the maths area chosen and correct answers are rewarded with an animated basket being scored as in basketball. Children will love it!

Brain Teasers
This site provides regularly-updated problem-solving activities, imaginatively presented, at each of three levels (8-9 yrs, 10-11yrs and 12yrs+) and solutions are given the following week. The puzzles encourage a lateral approach to simple mathematical problems, but a teacher will need to provide some explanation of method. Small class groups could tackle the maths problems each week and report back to the class. This could be an excellent ready-made resource for the Daily Maths Lesson.

Brainwave
A beautifully presented site with maths based puzzles to solve. Sharp graphics add to the appeal as the user collects 'smart bulbs' for each correct answer. Topics covered include shape, rotational and reflective symmetery, pattening and odd/even numbers. Collect 10 bulbs and win an award - though be warned, the last couple are stinkers.

Children's House of Cool-Math
Want to know how to easily multiply any two-digit number by 11? How about a bit of decimal understanding? Visit Children's House of Cool-Math to find out these and many other bits of mathematical trickery. The site is aimed at 9- to 12-year-olds and its quirky American style should not be off-putting.

Coolmath 4 Kids
Coolmath 4 Kids is an 'amusement park' full of maths activities and games. It includes the Number Monster, fractals, puzzles and much more. The site is extremely colourful and friendly to use and children will love the numbers that follow the cursor around the screen! A great resource for Numeracy at Key Stages 1 and 2.

DynaMo
Come and play in Dynamo's Den where children aged 5-9 can find quizzes, games, stories and much more. This exciting, interactive BBC website will help young children at home improve their literacy and numeracy skills as part of a dynamic TV, internet and book package. There is also help for parents on children's books and games, a Q&A, links, contacts, etc. You need to download the latest version of Macromedia Shockwave/Flash to get the most out of this excellent website.

Fantastic Maths Tips
Key Stage 2 teachers may wish to pass on these simple multiplication tips to pupils to help develop their mental arithmetic skills. Did you know that you can multiply numbers together by imagining a map of Africa? Alternatively, the website could form a basis for Daily Maths Lesson activities.

Funbrain.com
There's something for everyone here, from age 6 to 60. The many activities cover a variety of curriculum areas including maths and English, presented in a fun and challenging way. The site features over 30 games in eight subject areas. Ignore the fact that it is American, this is a useful site to visit and stretch your mind.

Interactive Fun Puzzles
The title says it all, really. These are maths and logic puzzles that Key Stage 1 and 2 children can directly manipulate on the webpage. Choose from visual discrimination, mixed-up puzzles, number puzzles, magic squares and matchstick puzzles. Keep the kids amused during a wet playtime.

Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles
This is a wonderful site for maths and logic problems that will be of particular benefit to teachers needing to extend the more able Key Stage 2 pupil. Some of the activities will only be suitable for Key Stage 3 and above so teachers will need to be selective. However, the site is very useful and worth the time spent searching for suitable activities.

The Internet Pizza Server
If you are looking for ways of motivating and stimulating children, this site is a must. A structured lesson plan uses the Internet Pizza Server website to make up an order for a pizza from a menu of toppings. It is then delivered on-screen to be downloaded and printed. A great starting point for money, area and fraction calculations for Key Stage 2 maths pupils and could be a valuable resource for general numeracy teaching.

KS2 Revisewise
Make the most of what you know in the Key Stage 2 National Tests! Activities, factsheets and questions on the website help pupils prepare for their English, maths and science tests as part of a BBC TV, book and internet package. Pupils can register with the website for a personalised scorecard and there are notes for parents and teachers. You will need Flash to play the activities.

Little Animals Activity Centre
Enter the world of Foxy Dancer, Digby Mole, Story Bear and other friends and experiment with a fun way to learn and play at home. There are loads of activities and exercises for 4- to 8-year-olds, ranging from literacy and numeracy tests to reading skills and musical recognition. A Shockwave extravaganza, this site will keep even adults interested for many hours with its fun graphics and lovable characters.

Magic Squares
With the Daily Mathematics Lesson on the horizon, this site may well help to bridge a gap. It is based on the simple idea of the magic number square but made more interesting for Key Stage 2 maths pupils merely by virtue of the fact that it is played live on the Web.

Math Forum: Ask Dr. Math - Elementary School Level
An excellent 'Math Forum' offers responses to individual e-mailed questions on maths, provides a directory of frequently asked questions mainly on numbers, and lists some 'how to' questions, e.g. why does a number get smaller when you multiply by a decimal? Pupils can investigate mathematical problems that are regularly updated on the site and improve their numeracy skills.

Mathematics Activities for Kids
This is an excellent place to practise and build your child's adding, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, algebra and other maths skills. It provides online random tests and evaluation at a number of proficiency levels. Contains some commercial material but these free exercises are great for maths at Key Stages 1 and 2.

Mathemagic
For a little light-hearted but, nonetheless, useful maths practice, why not visit the Mathemagic site and enter into some number wizardry. Children love card tricks and puzzles and you will find a few here that will leave those not in the know spellbound whilst developing their numeracy skills.

Maths Year 2000
A truly jumbo sized site with something for everyone - students and teachers. If you have not already visited it, make the effort before its too late - it will be well worth it! The site has many features, including: daily puzzles (which are archived), various number and board games (some Java-based), a database giving various pieces of information about different number, a mathematical dictionary and links to other sites.

Mathstories.com
The aim of this site is to help school children (Key Stage 2 and above) improve their maths problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It has over 4000 maths word problems for children to enjoy! Pages are easy to navigate and are sorted according to topic and difficulty allowing pupils to move easily from one level to another.

Megamaths
This is an invaluable site for testing and reinforcing times tables. Based on the BBC Schools Television maths series, children can play a range of animated games, read tips on finding multiples and send in their own ideas. The site is well targeted, clearly structured and beautifully presented. Highly recommended and invaluable for the Daily Maths Lesson.

Multiplication Mathmo
Knowing your tables is one thing - being able to do them quickly under pressure is another. The Multiplication Matho site allows Key Stage 2 pupils to be put under pressure in a fun way. They compete against the clock and have a choice of answers, and some are not even on the screen. It is surprising how effective this site can be.

Number Cracker
Help Mr Cracker obtain the secret code before the insidious Prof. Soup catches him by guessing what number comes next in a series of numbers. This Funbrain site allows for a choice of levels and is, therefore, a major help in any numeracy lesson where differentiation is called for.

Numberwork
If you have children aged between 7 and 9 and want to help them develop and consolidate their mathematical skills, then this is the site for you! Journey with Zack from Acapulco to Chihuahua by successfully completing six maths games and finding the secret code. Each game can be played at two levels to allow for differentiation and none of the games need plug-ins. A fun site for numeracy teaching at Key Stage 2a.

Problem of the Week
Join Fred and the cast in a weekly maths problem-solving challenge. Strategy and vocabulary help pages will assist able Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils to answer the questions. Pupils can submit answers and problems of their own. Return to this colourful and fun site the following week for the answer to each challenge.

Quantum Brainbenders
Quantum Brainbenders is a good site for brushing up on mental arithmetic. Teachers could use this as a useful addition to the Daily Maths Lesson and older Key Stage 2 pupils will find it both fun and challenging. Three levels of difficulty are offered and an archive of past activities is easily accessed.

Quick and Easy Maths Games for Early Years
This simple site provides straightforward games that involve numbers or other maths ideas, several of which are suitable for 5- to 7-year-olds. Children can practise the number line and counting with games such as 'Guess my Number'. Other games are also adaptable for this age-group and could make a good resource for the Numeracy Hour.

Rick's Math Web
Rick's Math Web has a large selection of maths worksheets and activities for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. They are aimed at students with difficulties in maths from pre-school to GCSE. The site includes word problems and fractions, and there are also some tips and tricks for maths operations with practice worksheets.

Sam's Ten-Minute Tips
With the onset of the Daily Mathematics Lesson, teachers are going to need more and more ideas at their fingertips to increase expertise in mental maths. Sam's Ten-Minute Tips is a mine of good ideas for ten-minute mental arithmetic topics from counting to fractions.

Spark Island
A cartoon land with games and interactive quizzes on the subjects of English, Maths and Science. Spark Park is for 3-5 year olds, Sparklantis has activities for 6-8 year olds and Sparkopolis is tailored towards 9-12 year olds. There are sections resources require registration.

Tangrams
Some twenty tangrams are used to tell a story in a fun Flash movie. This multimedia presentation provides stimulation for Key Stage 2 children with its humour, sound and bright colours. It is relevant to the maths syllabus for Years 4, 5 and 6 (space and shape) and work in design. Activity Sheets are available by e-mail.

Tangrams
This site can be directly accessed by children or printed out onto one side of A4 before a lesson. Children are introduced to the tangram puzzle and given simple instructions to make their own and investigate its properties. Then each week the site has a puzzle to solve using the tangram pieces - children can revisit to test their puzzle-solving abilities. You can even create a weekly tangram league table. A great site for the Daily Maths Lesson and Key Stage 1 and 2 maths for 'shapes and space'.

Teletubbies
This site has been designed by BBC Education to entertain and develop the learning potential of pre-school children. Combining games with the skills of painting, music and general coordination, this site is an ideal way for children to start learning. There is also an instruction section for parents. The graphics are bright, the layout is simple and, of course, the Teletubbies are on hand to provide extra interest and fun.

The Web Classroom
A site that enables straightforward times tables practice. Pupils are posed with the question, prompted for an answer and then told whether they are correct or not. If correct, they are given a trivia question which helps extend general knowledge and adds interest to a traditionally boring exercise. A simple and useful numeracy resource.

Thinks.com
You will find puzzles and games galore to please and tease your mind at this site. Some of the simpler word and maths games would be useful for reinforcing learning, literacy and numeracy at Key Stage 1, and older children and adults alike will enjoy much of what else is on offer.

Top Maths
Easy to use and full of great resources, Top Maths provides free Activity sheets, lesson plans and resources for teachers of Key Stages 1 and 2. Plus, there is an online resource centre for children offering maths puzzles and games. There are also suggestions for special needs teaching and classroom management.

Totally Tessellated
An exciting and colourful introduction to tessellation. The site contains information on the mathematics, history, and application of tessellation as well as images and animations of many real-life examples, including the art work of M. C. Escher. With many hands-on activities and templates, this site provides a useful resource for all Key Stages.

Under 5's
Early Years sites are too few at present and this makes up for some of the slack. Teachers will find free learning resources, practical information and help from the topic webs and planning pages. There are suggestions for introducing younger pupils to science and printable worksheets combining colouring with counting activities. A very useful resource for teachers and parents of rising fives.

Understanding Multiplication
Leave the calculators alone and take a look at a site written to help maths students gain a greater understanding of multiplying and squaring. Move the icon in the box and watch the measurements on the sides change with length. You choose how to work out the area of the given shape and your answer and working are marked online. Requires Shockwave.

Visual Fractions
'FRACTIONITIS (frak'sheni'tis): An increase in anxiety caused by the appearance of a numeral in fraction form.' So says this website by way of introduction. It is an online tutorial that offers instruction and practice in identifying fractions, writing fractions as mixed numbers and operating on fractions. All examples are pictured with numberlines. If your Key Stage 2 pupils are struggling with their fractions, this site may help them with its clear presentation, simple Java applets and touch-of-a-button explanations.

Webclass: Fun with Fractions
The Webclass sites have some excellent resources and this Fun with Fractions page is no exception. Pupils are presented with a riddle and proceed to solve it by answering questions related to fractions. A useful enhancement for the Daily Maths Lesson.