The Big Number Song

 MATHS STARS

Newsletter 1

2 April 2012

Kia Ora Whanau

The Maths Stars programme has been operating for 5 weeks, and the children and I have thoroughly

enjoyed our learning sessions. 

The children have been developing their number knowledge:

• Addition and subtraction facts to 20
• Number combinations that add up to 100
• X2, x5 and x10 facts (and for group 3, x3, x4, x6, x7, x8 and x9 facts)
• Recognising, reading and ordering fractions,
• Doubles and halves
• Reading, writing and ordering numbers up to 10,000 (and for group 3, numbers up to 1 million)
• Place value knowledge (the value of digits in numbers up to 1,000+; how many $10 notes and/or  $100 notes are needed to make up amounts up to $10,000+)
• They have also been developing problem-solving strategies:
• Using tidy numbers for adding (e.g. 27 + 8  is the same as 30 + 5)
• Using place value knowledge for adding  e.g. 35 + 46        =     (30 + 40) + (5 + 6)
• Using x2 and doubling to work out x4 problems (e.g. 7 x 4    =        7 x 2 = 14       Double 14 = 28 
•  Using the doubling and halving strategy to work out x5 problems with big numbers, e.g.       18 x 5       =    halve the 18 and double the 5    =       9 x 10 = 90, so 18 x 5 = 90
• (group 3) Using x10  and other  multiplication facts, e.g. 17 x 8       =    (10 x 8) + (7 x 8) = 136

Home Games

The Maths Stars have home packs containing the following games:

• Add and subtract to 20 Loopy (2 different sets)
• Make 100 memory
• Tidy Number Bingo 
•  4-in-a-row multiplication
• Instructions for playing “The Largest Number”

These games are important for developing and reinforcing the number knowledge and strategies your child needs to progress in maths.  Encourage your child to play the games regularly, along with other family members.  New games will be added to the “kete” regularly.

Holiday Maths

I have set up a MATHS STARS Studyladder account for each child.  This is different from the studyladder accounts that their class teachers have set up for them. 

If your child has access to the internet over the holidays, please encourage them to log in and complete the tasks and play the games.

Log in

Website:  www.studyladder.co.nz  (Find login box, top right)

End of Term Celebration

We would like to have Maths Stars pizza and ice-cream lunch on Thursday.  Please send $3 towards costs.  

Term 2

The current Maths Stars will continue in the programme until the end of Term 2. 

We will be moving to the library for a few weeks while the Ngati Whakaue room is being renovated.  Parents, please come and join our sessions any time.  Our time table is as follows:

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
Group 1 Waiuru, Jaz, Leihia, Hauraki, Brendan, Caleb	9:30 – 10:30 am	11 – 11:45 am	9 – 9:45 am	9 – 9:30 am
Group 2 Royce-Zena, Isaac, Hiriako, Heavenly	11 – 11:45 am	9:30 – 10:30 am	9:45 – 10:30 am	9:30 – 10 am
Group 3 Caynan, Trenyce, Rahera, Terika, Joseph	11:45 am – 12:30 pm	11:45 am – 12:30 pm	11:30 am – 12:30 pm	10 – 10:30 am

Maths Stars Blog

Please visit our new blog at www.ngongotahamathstars.blogspot.co.nz  and leave a comment.

ENJOY THE EASTER BREAK WITH YOUR FAMILY

Kind Regards

Jane Nunn

Maths Support Teacher