What Is Reasoning?

Reasoning

4th November 2016

Mrs Bush

What is Reasoning?

Mathematical reasoning is the skill that enables a child to make use of all their mathematical skills.

It helps children make sense of maths, to understand it so that they can use it.

What do we need for Excellent Reasoning?

Children must know their Maths facts, and understand them, so that they can use them to solve problems.

Children must know:

·  Addition and subtraction number facts

·  Times tables – instant recall

If children know these, they will do better at reasoning.

If children do not, it will slow their learning down.

Examples of Reasoning Skills:

·  Justify or argue their point.

·  Prove something to be true or not true

·  Use logic to solve problems, not just guessing

·  Find patterns

·  Think about what they need to know to find an answer

·  Work backwards (inverse)

·  Think about how to do things a better way

Ways of Developing Reasoning

·  Word problems

·  Puzzles

·  Open-ended problems (with more than 1 answer)

·  Inverse (doing the opposite, working backwards)

·  Missing information

·  Effective questioning and discussion

·  Explore different ways

·  Revisit problems to find better ways to solve them

·  Work with others, teaching and explaining to them (this really shows their understanding)

What are we doing to develop Reasoning?

·  All Maths lessons involve reasoning.

·  All number problems are presented in a context, so that children understand there is a reason to learn Maths.

·  We have a reasoning lesson every Friday

·  We are developing it in other subjects

·  Reasoning Homework

Some useful websites to start off:

This has a selection of pictures, number and word puzzles

http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/a4_resource/pages/puzzleboxx/puzzles/MENU.htm

https://nrich.maths.org/primary-upper

Word based riddles and puzzles to figure out!

https://www.mathsisfun.com/puzzles/

http://www.folj.com/puzzles/

This has a variety of activities organised by year group

http://www.roathparkprimaryschool.co.uk/help-your-child-with-mathematical-reasoning/

This has online games to develop reasoning and problem solving

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/7-11-years/problem-solving

All children have also been signed up for Mathletics, and interactive website to support mathematical development through interactive activities

http://uk.mathletics.com/signin/

Children’s usernames and passwords can be found in their reading diaries, so that they can complete activities at home.

Children can also access MyMaths from home:

https://www.mymaths.co.uk/primary.html

Username - shj

Password - red