Subject Knowledge - Primary Teachers - Spatial Reasoning Pathway

Who can take part?

This programme is designed for primary teachers in KS1 and KS2 who would like to develop their specialist knowledge for teaching maths. Teachers who have attended the number pathway for this programme may find it beneficial to extend their specialist knowledge to encompass spatial reasoning. 

What will you learn?

This new pathway within the SKTM work groups is designed to improve the specialist subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge for all practitioners teaching and supporting the learning of spatial reasoning in primary maths. The programme will also include a focus on the links between special reasoning and number.

Why Spatial Reasoning?

Research shows that:

• spatial skills are predictive of later mathematics achievement;
• higher levels of spatial sense predict stronger performance on standardised mathematics tests…including problem-solving;
• spatial thinking plays an important role in arithmetic, word problems, measurement, geometry, algebra and calculus;
• people with strong spatial skills also tend to perform well in mathematics;
• abstract representations of number are grounded in early interactions with objects and an understanding of physical space;
• training children…on a spatial task improved the children’s performance on calculation and place value tests [later];
• girls and other underrepresented groups are harmed in their progression in mathematics due to lack of attention to spatial skills;
• having strong abilities to mentally picture and manipulate objects…predicts success in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

As part of the programme, participants will: 

• Enhance their maths subject knowledge with an emphasis on the key concepts, the representations and the language used to help pupils develop the mathematical area covered (spatial reasoning)
• Identify common misconceptions and ways of addressing these to help pupils master important concepts
• Identify pedagogical approaches that will enhance teaching and learning, and know how to plan for these
• Develop an understanding of key principles and approaches associated with teaching for mastery.
• Reflect on their learning and undertake follow up work in school.

In addition, it is intended that pupils will use appropriate representations to support their mathematical work, be able to explain their maths and their mathematical thinking using appropriate language and positively engage with maths that challenges them.

What is involved?

The key structures of spatial reasoning (e.g. thinking and reasoning about shapes, spatial relations and geometry, position, movement, pattern and using spatial skills within the number and wider curriculum) will be explored across four days of face to face training. 

In addition to this, participants and their senior leaders will be invited to an online briefing prior to the face to face training where key messages regarding the programme will be shared. 

Teachers will also be required to attend one online session at the end of the programme for final evaluation and review. 

Participants and their schools must be able to commit to the full programme. In addition, participants will be required to:

• Keep a reflective journal that captures the impact of the work undertaken on the programme and back in school;
• Join and make regular contributions to an online community; 
• Complete online evaluations requested by the NCETM, including a summative impact report;
• Undertake a range of gap tasks, both individually and with identified learners, to deepen their thinking about their learning of mathematics. It is asked that school leaders support their staff to complete this work; 
• Reflect on gap tasks within the online community, with colleagues at the face to face sessions, and with colleagues and senior leaders in school.

Please give careful consideration to the work involved when selecting participants from your school.

What is the cost?

The SKTM Primary Teachers Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating state funded Sussex schools.

What are the dates?

• Pre Work Group briefing - Teacher and Senior Leader - Online - Wednesday, 10th January 2024 - 2pm - 2:30pm 
• Session 1 - Teacher - Face to Face - Friday 19th January 2024 - 9:15am - 3pm
• Session 2 - Teacher - Face to Face - Thursday 29th February 2024 - 9:15am - 3pm
• Session 3 - Teacher - Face to Face - Wednesday 17th April 2024 - 9:15am - 3pm
• Session 4 - Teacher - Face to Face - Monday 20th May 2024 - 9:15am - 3pm
• Final review and evalutation - Teacher and Senior Leader - Online - Wednesday, 12th June 2024 - 2pm - 2:30pm