Reception

White Rose (our Maths Scheme provider) have produced parent workbooks (workbooks pupils can complete) covering all National Curriculum Year Groups (Years 1- 6). The link to the workbooks can be found on our Mathematics Curriculum webpage should you wish to use these with your child/children.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our parents and pupils that we have lots of really useful and essential maths links on individual year group webpages and on our Mathematics Curriculum webapge to reflect our use of Maths Mastery techniques in our classrooms.

The links provide a wide-variety of fun maths games and activities that can be used at anytime to hone your childrens’ maths skills.

I have chosen these particular websites as, with regular use, these activities will further develop your child’s mathematical  skills to assist them in getting the most out of maths at Meopham Community Academy.

To obtain the greatest benefit from the activities, I would encourage all of our pupils to visit these websites at least once a week for 10-15 minutes – perhaps they could incorporate this time into their home-learning regime.

Miss Dean, Mathematics Subject Leader

As a teacher, I have always been interested in the possible/probable link between the low literacy attainment of children and their under-developed gross and fine motor skills. So, in the last year I began to investigate how I could influence pupil progress positively.

• Alistair Bryce-Clegg is (self)credited with ‘inventing’ the Dough Gym. A quick internet search will yield masses of detailed information on the concept (and endless playdough recipes) and a YouTube search will provide you with any number of super-enthusiastic session leaders (see our personal inspiration, the wonderful Shonette Bason and Dough Disco) and session playlists.
• However, in essence, Dough Gym is a daily physical intervention that combines the use of pieces of playdough with a series of hand and finger exercises. These strengthen and develop children’s fine and gross motor dexterity, hand-eye co-ordination, proprioception (moving the body effectively within its given space), balance (while still and in motion), low load control (your shoulders’ ability to support your arm and hand as you write) and grip.
• Each session can last as little as 3-4 minutes (the length of any upbeat pop song chosen) or as long as 10 minutes and is led by an adult who calls out instructions (roll a sausage, make a ball, pinch, flatten, squeeze, take your fingers on a walk, walk your fingers down the catwalk, dance your fingers on the dance floor…). The children all stand up with adequate space around them to move freely, the dough remains in their hands at all times (using the table is not allowed!) and they follow using their fingers, hands and/or dough.
• Obviously, given the fantastic possibilities it presents for developing motor dexterity and therefore early mark making and writing, YR are extremely excited that the Dough Disco is now incorprated into our daily timetable at MCA. It takes place from 8.35-8.55 and the children absolutely adore it! Just ask them!