Big ideas in primary mathematics - Robert Newell

Lightbulb moments for you and your pupils

This book explores the 'big ideas' in maths to helptrainee teachersconfidently teach the curriculum in a way that engages children and focuses on understanding, rather than memory, for those lightbulb moments.

Covering the major concepts in simple terms, whilst carefully linking to the National Curriculum, it shows how they can be used to enable learning and support mathematical mastery.

A focus on explaining misconceptions and errors will strengthentrainees and teachersown mathematical subject knowledge, while also giving them the confidence to deepen their understanding of the childrenthey teach.

Key topics include:

• Problem-solving, reasoning and developing fluency in maths


• Place value and counting systems


• Measuring money, time and weight


• Geometry, and understanding space and shape


• Fractions and statistics for the primary classroom

This is essential reading for anyone studying primary mathematics on initial teacher education courses, including undergraduate (BEd, BA with QTS) and postgraduate (PGCE, PGDE, School Direct, SCITT) routes, and also NQTs.

Robert Newell is a tutor in primary education at the UCL Institute of Education, London.