Navigating the complexities of lesson planning as a newly qualified teacher can feel overwhelming! Especially with the added responsibilities of teaching 11 other subjects, completing Droichead, and finding work-life balance.
Planning in our classrooms is crucial but how do we move beyond just aiming for top marks to nurturing confident, capable students with a positive disposition towards maths? All while trying to embrace a new curriculum?!
That’s where I come in. Hi, I’m Katie, the teacher creator behind Cáit’s Classroom, and crafting curriculum-aligned maths lesson plans is my speciality. I’m here to guide you through creating engaging maths lessons and aligning your plans with the new Primary Mathematics Curriculum (2023).
Clear Learning Outcomes
Crafting a well designed lesson plan hinges on clear learning outcomes. Enter the Primary Mathematics Curriculum (2023) and its best friend: the Primary Mathematics Toolkit, specifically the progression continua. These continua serve as roadmaps for students’ mathematical journeys, refining learning outcomes across key elements like ‘understanding and connecting’ and ‘applying and problem solving’.
They ensure focused, engaging learning experiences, like exploring area possibilities when perimeter remains constant. Start at the progression step that sounds like the average learner in your classroom and use the surrounding steps for differentiation. (For more on differentiation, check out my previous blog post here.)
Playful Learning Experiences
The best maths lesson plans capture students’ interest through playful experiences, transforming abstract concepts into engaging activities. Base these experiences on your learning outcomes, incorporating hands-on activities, real-world applications, and interactive learning. Encouraging playfulness fosters positive attitudes towards maths, motivating students to participate and succeed.
Try kicking off with an interactive game, extending playfulness into the main activity. For example, a game on building cubes and cuboids from linking cubes could extend naturally into a main activity on exploring volume formulae for 3D shapes using children’s own constructions. (Shop this lesson here to see playful learning in action.)
Assessment Strategies
Assessment is pivotal in guiding students’ mathematical journeys and informing future planning. Incorporating diverse strategies – formative, summative, or self-assessment – provides a rounded view of learning. A thoughtful lesson plan integrates various assessment methods, from teacher observation to peer assessment methods, ensuring accurate evaluation and informed instructional decisions.
Try including both intuitive assessment and planned interactions like scaffolding learning through opportunities for maths talk or conferencing with children about their work to gain an insight into their mathematical thinking and learning experiences.
Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. Visit my store, Cáit’s Classroom, where you’ll find plenty of curriculum-aligned lessons designed to take the stress out of planning for newly qualified teachers. I’m constantly updating the store with new resources aligned with the Primary Mathematics Curriculum (2023) and incorporating all the advice shared in this blog.
Click the picture below and join the community of NQTs already signed up to the Cáit’s Classroom mailing list for tips, tricks and freebies related to maths education for 3rd-6th class. We can’t wait to have you!
