Children\'s Mathematics

Once the children find ownership of the board then they will post a variety of pieces

from pictures to brochures. They will remind the teacher to put up current events

and they will remember to look at it every day.

Graphics areas

Graphics areas provide a range of resources for a variety of literacy purposes. For

many teachers the objectives for the graphics area are usually literacy based and so

you may see a predominance of literacy-related resources. By adding mathematical

equipment one can give the graphics area a different focus.

Additional mathematical equipment could include:

• rulers


• calculator


• calendar


• measuring tape


• number lines (different lengths)


• stamps


• shapes


• tickets


• cheque book


• cut out numbers


• clock.

The size of this area is important. In ideal conditions when space is no object it is

worth providing sufficient room so that at least six children are able to use it. If the

area becomes popular, make it larger. This is recognising the flow of children’s play.

A board is essential for children who wish to put up their pieces. Once I saw a

whole length of wall devoted to the children’s own writing including their mathe-

matical writing. If there is very little space for a graphics area you could think about

supplementing this with an ‘office box’ which takes up very little space and can be

used anywhere (see Figure 8.2). This area will be used if the teacher highlights the

Because it was part of the classroom culture, children often used the noticeboard

for their own purposes. Matthew, 5:8, decided to try to teach some of his friends

to play chess and to help them he made his own book of rules of how to play

this game, although other children found it difficult. Soon Matthew had the idea of

starting a ‘maths games club’. He wrote a message about this and pinned it on the

noticeboard, inviting children to sign their names if they wanted to join. For most

of the summer term the club flourished, with other children introducing their

favourite games and several children inventing games of their own.

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