In this third and final part of this podcast episode, we conclude our conversation with Professors Alf Coles and Nathalie Sinclair about the dogmas they address in their book, I Can’t Do Maths! Why children say it and how to make a difference. In this part of the conversation, we put your questions, shared with us on social media, to Alf and Nathalie, and discuss topics including maths anxiety and enjoyment in the UK compared to other nations, how to support and encourage children who struggle with maths and how to respond when children ask, ‘When will I ever need this again?’.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

• Professor Alf Coles, University of Bristol

• 00:06 - Introduction and welcome

• I Can’t Do Maths! Why children say it and how to make a difference by Professor Alf Coles and Professor Nathalie Sinclair (Bloomsbury, 2022)

In Part 2 of Episode 78 of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Professors Alf Coles and Nathalie Sinclair continue their discussion about the dogmas in maths teaching and learning, with host Julia Thomson. We explore the misconceptions that ‘maths is culture-free’ and that 'maths is for some people and not for others'. We also scrutinise the notion that ‘maths is hard because it is abstract’ and discuss the Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) model within mastery and the power of representations in maths.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

• Professor Alf Coles, University of Bristol

• 00:06 - Introduction and welcome

• I Can’t Do Maths! Why children say it and how to make a difference by Professor Alf Coles and Professor Nathalie Sinclair (Bloomsbury, 2022)  

In this episode, we talk to Professor Alf Coles and Professor Nathalie Sinclair about their book, I Can’t Do Maths! Why children say it and how to make a difference. In the book, Alf and Nathalie identify, unpick and challenge some of the most commonly-held beliefs about maths teaching and learning. In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore the background to the book and the first two dogmas, or myths, about maths education that Alf and Nathalie explore in the book.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

• Professor Alf Coles, University of Bristol

• 00:05 - Introduction to part 1

• I Can’t Do Maths! Why children say it and how to make a difference by Professor Alf Coles and Professor Nathalie Sinclair (Bloomsbury, 2022)  

In Part 2 of our discussion with Dr Ems Lord and Liz Woodham from NRICH and Grace Coker from the EEF, we explore how games can facilitate collaborative problem-solving, encourage parental engagement and make homework more enjoyable.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

• Ems Lord, Director of NRICH, University of Cambridge

• 00:05 - Introduction

• EEF Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1

In Part 1 of this discussion with Dr Ems Lord and Liz Woodham from NRICH and Grace Coker from the EEF, we explore the many benefits of using maths games in both primary and secondary classrooms.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

• Ems Lord, Director of NRICH, University of Cambridge

• 00:06 - Introduction

• EEF Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1

Find out about the benefits of getting involved in the work of your local Maths Hub as a participating school, but also what the impact is of having some of your staff become Local Leaders of Maths Education (LLME).

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

• Sarah Smith, Headteacher Advocate and Executive Headteacher at St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy and Christ the King Catholic Academy in Blackpool

• 00.07 – Introduction

• Primary Mastery Specialists

Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, Sue Johnston-Wilder, discusses the prevalence of anxiety in our maths classrooms.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

• Sue Johnston-Wilder, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Warwick and co-founder of the international Mathematical Resilience Network

• 01.06 – Introduction and background of Sue’s work

• A Toolkit for Teachers and Learners, Parents, Carers and Support Staff: Improving Mathematical Safeguarding and Building Resilience to Increase Effectiveness of Teaching and Learning Mathematics

• Siegel D (2011) Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation

We explore how number lines can be used at KS2 to support children to develop a greater understanding of the linear number system and prepare them for secondary maths.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

• Jennifer Ruddock, deputy headteacher, Corrie Primary School, Denton

• 00:05 – Introduction

• Issue 35 of Espresso provides useful reading on the number line

Children from Year 5, 6 and 8 classes were asked to draw a number line, either from 1 to 100 or from 50 to 70, with intervals of 10 marked on the line. Teachers observed the spacing of the intervals and paid particular attention to whether children could accurately indicate the location of the midpoint.

The number lines referred to by Jordanna can be viewed on the NCETM website.

A secondary maths teacher explains the benefits of using algebra tiles, and shares some practical tips.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

• Lizi Pepper, secondary maths teacher and KS3 maths lead at Tytherington School, and Secondary Mastery Specialist

• 00:34 – Introductions

• Lizi is @mathspeptalk on Twitter