Mathematics Explained for Primary Teachers - Derek Haylock

...trainee teachers prepare for the Mathematics QTS skills test. I have not used the disk as I passed the test before getting to it, but can look back and say the questions on it are good practice, and also give a good indication of where knowledge is lacking, as do the self assessment questions.

I have the paperback version of the book, which I have seen at a variety of prices, between £16 and £19.99. This might sound like a lot of money ...
...lacking in areas, or you just need some ideas on ways to explain things to pupils who are struggling, then I think it is well worth the money. It's only 341 pages long, and doesn't take up too much space.

I woudl recommend this book, it is one the I'm sure I will refer back to every now and again as Maths has a habit of finding it's way out of my brain.

The ISBN number is 1-4129-1183-4 and is published by Sage publications, ... more

I have this book as it was recommended by a friend. My Maths knowledge is rather lacking, and faced with the possibility of teaching children anywhere up to year 6, I felt I needed to do something. The book is targetted at primary school teachers, but also trainee teachers.

inside the book is the introduction, and then chapters on all the Maths areas, including: place value, mathematical modelling, addition and subtraction structures, mental strategies for addition and subtraction, written methods for addition and subtraction, multiplication and division structures, mental strategies for multiplication and division, written methods for multiplication and division, rounding and remainders, multiples, factors and primes, shapes, positive and negative integers, fractions and ratios, calculations with decimals, proportions and percentages, handling data, comparing data, probability, algebra, co-ordinates, measurement, angles, symmetry, classifying shapes, perimeter, area and volume and finally mathematical reasoning.

I realise this is a long list, but feel it is important to show all the areas covered. The book was written in 2006, but this edition was released in 2007, and by covering the information in set topics, is easy to relate to the new numeracy framework.

Each chapter works in the same way. There is a beginning paragraph stating what pupils should learn and know for this area of Maths, followed by a list of all the things that will be covered in the chapter. I feel this is really useful as you can dip in and out to find just the specific information and help you need.

After this, the chapter is set out with questions, and then the answer follows. The questions and answers cover both the knowledge and skills relating to the topic. A great help through each chapter is the teaching points given, they are great little ideas on ways of teaching or helping pupils learn the required skills and knowledge.

This is followed by some suggestions for further reading shoudl you need it (although so afr the book has covered all my questions and lack of knowledge) and an important glossary of terms, great for if something has come up and you just need to know what it means. The chapter ends with a set of self assessment questions to test both your own knowledge and knowledge of ways children learn it. All answers are included at the back of the book.

At the back of the book, after the index, there is a disk containing some practice questions that are designed to help trainee teachers prepare for the Mathematics QTS skills test. I have not used the disk as I passed the test before getting to it, but can look back and say the questions on it are good practice, and also give a good indication of where knowledge is lacking, as do the self assessment questions.

I have the paperback version of the book, which I have seen at a variety of prices, between £16 and £19.99. This might sound like a lot of money for a Maths book, but if your subject knowledge is lacking in areas, or you just need some ideas on ways to explain things to pupils who are struggling, then I think it is well worth the money. It's only 341 pages long, and doesn't take up too much space.

I woudl recommend this book, it is one the I'm sure I will refer back to every now and again as Maths has a habit of finding it's way out of my brain.

The ISBN number is 1-4129-1183-4 and is published by Sage publications, and can be found at a much better, lower price is bought secondhand from sites such as Amazon. 

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