Mathematics
At Aberfeldie Primary School, we use an explicit teaching model to ensure all students develop strong mathematical understanding, confidence, and problem-solving skills. Our approach is carefully structured and based on current research into how students learn best.
Each lesson follows a consistent structure that supports all learners:
- Daily Review – Revisiting and consolidating previously taught concepts to strengthen recall and fluency.
- Activating Prior Knowledge – Helping students connect new learning to what they already know.
- Explicit Modelling – Teachers demonstrate new concepts using clear worked examples and step-by-step explanations.
- Concrete–Representational–Abstract (CRA) Approach – Students first use hands-on materials, then visual representations, and finally abstract symbols to build deep understanding.
- Checking for Understanding – Teachers regularly check student thinking using strategies like questioning and mini whiteboards to ensure all students are on track.
- Guided Practice – Students practise new skills with support and feedback from the teacher.
- Independent Practice – Opportunities for students to apply their learning independently to build mastery.
- Support and Extension – Responsive instruction ensures students who need extra help are supported, while those ready for challenge are extended.
This explicit and systematic approach ensures all students can access the curriculum and progress with confidence through increasingly complex mathematical concepts.
