Mastery and Depth in Primary Mathematics : Enriching Children's Mathematical Thinking

The UK National Curriculum is clear about the importance of reasoning and problem-solving in mathematics. Mastery and Depth in Primary Mathematics aims to support trainee and established teachers to embed mathematical thinking into their lessons. The authors focus on practical and actionable ways that primary teachers can develop their children’s mathematical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving: ideas which are at the heart of the UK National Curriculum.

Covering a range of areas in mathematical thinking such as reasoning, problem-solving and pattern-spotting, as well as systematic and investigative thinking, each chapter provides clear examples of how teachers can make small, manageable ‘rich tweaks’ to their existing lessons to increase the opportunities for children to develop their mathematical thinking. Teachers will be able to dip into the book and find inspiration and ideas that they can use immediately and, importantly, develop a set of principles and skills which will enable them to take any mathematical activity and tweak it to develop their pupils’ thinking skills.

This practical guide will be invaluable to all trainee teachers and early-career teachers that wish to enhance their primary mathematics teaching.

Fay Lewis, after completing her PhD and PGCE, worked as a teacher in primary schools in Yorkshire, Somerset and Bristol for almost 15 years. She now works at the University of the West of England, where she heads up the Masters in Education programme and teaches all things related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to undergraduate and postgraduate student primary school teachers.

Amanda Wilkinson, prior to becoming a teacher educator, worked for several years as a primary teacher in Manchester and Oxfordshire. During this time, she trained to become a specialist mathematics teacher, became a senior leader and worked part-time as a mathematics consultant. Since then, she has worked as a senior lecturer in primary mathematics, first for Oxford Brookes University and then for the University of the West of England in Bristol.

Marcus Witt began his teaching career in the hills of South India, teaching in an international school before moving to a school in rural Kentucky and then completing his PGCE in the UK. After several years teaching in primary schools, he moved to teacher education and now works at the University of the West of England, helping to train the next generation of primary school teachers.