Math's Reasoning

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Maths Reasoning

This blog will be looking at maths reasoning and what is done in school for children’s learning. In Wales, there are two types of numeracy tests which test your ability of skills. The one test is a reasoning test which analyses how well children can solve problems that can occur every day, the other test is including skills in measuring, numbers and data skills (Welsh Government, 2014). Mathematics skills are vital, and I feel it is important that tests and observations are carried out in order to provide children the best learning. Maths is a core subject within the curriculum and in Donaldson new curriculum, which speaks on how math’s is important for the future as well as the present, the progress from memorising timetables and figuring out equations has moved to solve everyday problems (CSCJES, 2015). However, it is important to understand that individuals need to learn basic maths in order to progress into further challenging tasks. During our seminar in AOLE, we carried out a task trying to transform simple questions into an everyday problem. Everyday questions enhance thinking skills and problem skills.

Example simple questions, 17+15=32

Transforming into everyday questions, ‘there are 32 people in the swimming pool, 15 of them are boys, how many of them are boys?

This picture below is a numeracy worksheet that enhances basic maths skills, the picture names ‘Example Question 1’ worksheet enhances numerical reasoning. Both these worksheets have their own benefits. The benefits of using worksheets in a classroom are fun yet still beneficial, it is also a quick way to get children warmed up on their thinking and problem-solving skills. The worksheet is also less time consuming and children can work at their own pace with and without support. The only negative about this worksheet is that children could potentially find it less engaging which can relate to children unlikely to enjoy numeracy and if individuals find mathematics challenging, they could lack in skills. The Example Question worksheet is beneficial as it allows children to enhance different numeracy method skills and is more fun an engaging as its problem solving and gets children to use their thinking skills.



The Welsh Government (2013) defines numerical reason as “the process of using ‘number sense’ which facilitates the formation of conclusions, judgments or inferences from facts or premises in order to tackle real-world mathematical problems in a variety of situations”. This means that children can think about the real-life problems and putting them into numeracy to solve problems using their skills as well as using their own methods (Swan, 2011). However, most individuals use mathematics skills they are comfortable using and it is vital that teachers allow children to reflect on their methods and let them be confident in their skills.

Reference
CSCJES (2015) Initial Highlights of the Donaldson Report. Available at:http://www.cscjes.org.uk/getattachment/34a3bdcf-370f-4c92-aa1c-29500bea443c/Initial-Highlights-of-the-Donaldson-Report.pdf.aspx; (Accessed: 17th May 2019 ).

Learning Wales. (2013) What is numerical reasoning? Available at:http://learning.gov.wales/docs/learningwales/publications/140228-what-is-numerical-reasoning-en.pdf(Accessed: 17th May 2019)

Swan, M. (2011) Improving Reasoning: Analysing Alternative Approaches. Available at:https://nrich.maths.org/7812 (Accessed: 17th May 2019).




Welsh Government (2013) What is Numerical Reasoning? Available at:http://learning.gov.wales/resources/browse-all/developing-numerical-reasoning-video-clips/?lang=en (Accessed: 17th May 2019).

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