As we gear up for the final term, it’s time for teachers to start planning ahead and equipping themselves with the best resources for their classrooms. If you’re like me, always on the lookout for resources that can engage and challenge your students while making your life a little easier, then the New Wave Mental Maths (NWMM) programme by Prim-Ed Publishing should be at the top of your booklist for September.
My name is Katie, the teacher creator behind Cáit’s Classroom, and I’m here to tell you how NWMM transformed my morning routine and why I truly believe it’s a must-have resource.
- Daily Practice Format: I love the structured daily practice format of NWMM. Each Monday to Thursday morning, we spend 10 minutes tackling 15 wide-ranging questions, followed by a comprehensive review of 20 questions on Friday. Whether you’re using the 1999 curriculum or have made the jump to 2023, NWMM has got you covered with topics ranging from data to decimals and algebra to area. It leaves no stone unturned!
- Prepares Students for Discreet Teaching: Because of its comprehensive nature, NWMM preps students before discreet teaching by introducing and revising numerous and varied topics from day one. This approach familiarises students with key concepts each morning making it significantly easier for them to grasp when approached in standalone lessons later in the day, week, month or year.
- Assessment and Differentiation: The assessment grid at the front of NWMM is a game-changer for tracking student progress and building confidence. For differentiation, I encourage struggling students to start by attempting the 10 questions they feel most confident in, gradually increasing this number throughout the year. The assessment grid emphasises progress over perfection and students love to see their scores improve from September
- Accessible Online Answers: NWMM provides complimentary online access to answers, speeding up the correction process on those already busy mornings. For NQTs, having answers readily available facilitates efficient corrections and provides support when encountering unfamiliar topics. In my 6th class classroom, this feature has been invaluable, allowing students to correct independently while I provide guidance as needed.
- Maths Facts for Independent Practice: NWMM includes pages of maths facts at the back, perfect for independent practice. From fraction walls to nets of 3D shapes, tables to time telling, these facts assist students to reinforce concepts by themselves, fostering self-reliance and confidence in their mathematical abilities. I like to use this time to set myself up for the rest of the morning as students often have their questions answered within these helpful pages.
In a nutshell, NWMM isn’t just a workbook; it’s a game-changer for mastering maths in the mornings. I was delighted to receive a class set of NWMM from Prim-Ed Publishing and will be continuing to set myself up for a successful day of teaching by keeping it as part of my future morning routines. So, before you finalise that September booklist, do yourself a favour and don’t forget New Wave Mental Maths by Prim-Ed!
For a full video review, join me on Instagram or TikTok and stay tuned for my students’ review of NWMM after Easter!
And remember, for ready-to-use lesson plans, activities, and resources aligned with the new Primary Mathematics Curriculum (2023), be sure to check out my store, Cáit’s Classroom, by clicking the picture below:
