Primary Maths: Anyone can feed sweets to the sharks...

Nick’s approach is to make maths memorable. This includes using sugar sharks to explain division, greedy crocodiles to look at equations and developing dance routines to understand algebra. Maths need never be dull and irrelevant to children again.Yet the book is not a collection of gimmicky activities. Throughout the book, Nick offers wee gems of advice about teaching maths concepts based on years of practical front-line experience. I particularly liked the step-by-step approach to fractions. It doesn’t involve pizza. Using lengths of string and moving onto practical experience of having objects, the vocabulary and development of understanding is carefully explained. From here, the fraction of shapes is practised. Finally Nick advocates that children learn about more complex fraction work through the use of a blank 10x10m grid in the playground which makes the ideal link to decimals and percentages.The level of rigour underpinning each chapter is appropriate and there are many helpful reminders to the readers such as the need to consider the wider mathematical picture beyond numeracy. I found the mix of mathematical investigations such as exploring Pascal's Triangle, along with the teaching of specific concepts, a good balance.All-in-all, this is an excellent book that will be of value to all student teachers and any primary teacher wishing to revamp their maths practice. My copy is already well-thumbed and my repertoire of mathematical jokes has broadened too…!

With maths under performance in schools so topical, this little book is a huge must for anyone involved in Primary Education.Nick, you hit the nail squarely on the head so many times..although apprehensive as this isn't really my genre, it was such a fun read..I chuckled out loud and agreed with you like a nodding dog!If only I were lucky enough to describe the maths lessons I received in the 1960's as 'beige'.....they were totally black, dull and dire! Without a doubt they contributed to my fear and lack of interest in the subject today....until NOW!So how exciting and refreshing to read of your creative ideas and top tips that provide outstanding starting points to involve and motivate children (and their old teachers!) It has encouraged me to dispel some of my prior beliefs, to take risks, adventure outside of 'the maths scheme' and to find new ways of doing things in the classroom.I totally agree that primary children should be encouraged to think creatively, mathematically and confidently from an early age.This book gives excellent, doable ideas and advice for anyone like me who needs to add that little bit of 'sparkle and shine' to their maths sessions!Many thanks!PS ...Science was a 'bit grey' ...maybe your next book in the series please ?!!

This book is perfect for a teacher starting out. It brims with enthusiasm and ideas – all of them putting a thrill into Maths, but staying practical. Most of these ideas take minimal planning time and it’s difficult to imagine even the most unreachable 10-year-old frowning in the face of the author’s sweet-eating shark, bike up a tree and cardboard-box robots. Don't think, though, that Tiley-Nunn is dumbing maths down or sugar-coating it with ‘fun’ starter activities that don’t get to the nitty-gritty. What he does is take each core concept of the curriculum and find a way to bring it to life for young people. He understands the critical importance of engaging children – getting them to see the point, see the magic, and see the funny side. I would love this book to be read in conjunction with my own – the author and I clearly agree on what is important, and I wish I’d thought of some of these things to do in class.Andrew Day, author of The Numberverse - How Numbers Are Bursting Out Of Everything And Just Want to Have Fun@thenumberverse

This is a good basic text for those at the beginning of their teaching career. My students like it.

Good book nice compact size, wasn't quite what I was looking for but does have a few ideas I can adapt.