Using Easiteach to raise motivation in maths

Preparing engaging maths lessons with ease

Castleview Primary School is a large primary school with over 450 pupils aged between 3-11 years.

The idea behind Easiteach Maths is to reduce the pressure of creating and managing engaging maths lessons. Castleview Primary School tested Easiteach during its development. They found it cuts preparation time while adding a totally new dimension to whole-class teaching.

Three members of staff tell us about their experiences with Easiteach:

"The most useful thing about the teaching tool is the ability to generate number lines and number grids, etc. very quickly, and to tailor them specifically to your needs very easily. They match so closely to the Numeracy Framework. Being able to manipulate them on the interactive whiteboard is really valuable; I can highlight things, separate objects, cover things up and remove them to demonstrate and explore maths concepts with the pupils. Preparing the same lesson on paper would take hours and wouldn't have the same impact in the lesson."

Pupils motivated and involved

The practicalities of Maths lessons are made much easier by having these resources available at the touch of a finger! It also motivates and empowers the pupils because they can get actively involved. With an objective like 'Ordering Numbers' I can bring out number lines and move the numbers around very quickly. I feel it really moves the pace of the lesson on as a result of being able to do this. The equivalent of moving pieces of paper around on the board takes ages.

"If I want to move from counting in ones to counting in tens then I can quickly put a new number line on the screen, I don't have to worry about drawing a new one."

A whole-class teaching tool, keeping pupils focused

"In terms of keeping 30 pupils focused, it's great. The pupils enjoy using it, and it certainly holds their attention more than a board and a pen would do. It provides visual aids for the pupils, allowing them to focus on the maths and see it from a different perspective.

"With groups of struggling pupils, the hands-on experience got them more focused and interested in the Maths, and assisted their understanding. For my lower ability Year 5 class it certainly benefited them, they actually came away saying they had enjoyed Maths and that they had understood new things.

"For £295 a year for our school, I think school membership to Easiteach Maths is an absolute bargain. It's a very small amount of money per teacher or per class for an invaluable resource. To have the ability to use it at home and download activities and teaching notes from the Internet I think is wonderful. In relation to paper-based resources, which need replenishing and upgrading, then it really is good value for money."

"The practicalities of Maths lessons are made much easier by having these resources available at the touch of a finger! It also motivates and empowers the pupils because they can get involved".

Andrea Fricker, Aimee Rodgers and Sarah Phillips. Classroom teachers

"With groups of struggling pupils, the hands-on experience got them more focused and interested in the maths, and assisted their understanding. My lower ability Year 5 class certainly benefited, they came away saying they had enjoyed maths and that they had understood new things".