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Day-to-day assessment in mathematics - Page 5

Using the blocks and units

The blocks are organised into three units. Each unit is designed to cover two or three weeks of work, as indicated. Within each unit is listed a set of objectives. The key objectives, now called the end-of-year expectations, appear in blue. These reflect the key objectives in the 1999 Framework and have been aligned to the renewed set of objectives in the electronic Framework.

Below are two examples: one is from Year 2, block D, unit 1; the other is from Year 5, block D, unit 3. They both show how an objective, in this case an end-of-year objective, is presented and supported by assessment guidance. The objective is presented in a form and style that might be shared with children and appears in italics below the objective. In the right-hand column, labelled 'Assessment for learning', are some questions that might be built into lesson plans and used to probe children's understanding.

Year 2 - Block D: Calculating, measuring and understanding shape -
Unit 2D1 2 weeks

Objectives
 End-of-year expectations (key objectives) are highlighted
Children's learning outcomes in italic

Assessment for learning

  • Add or subtract mentally a one-digit number or a multiple of 10 to or from any two-digit number; use practical and informal written methods to add and subtract two-digit numbers

    I can add and subtract some numbers in my head

Look at the number line. It shows the sum that Fred did.

A number line from 0 - 14 with 3 numbers connected: 5, 11, 14

Which of these sums did Fred do?

5 + 7 + 2 = 14
5 + 6 + 3 = 1 4
5 + 5 + 4 = 14
5 + 8 + 1 = 14

What is 34 + 8? What number facts might you use to help you work this out? What do you need to add to 34 to get to the next multiple of 10? How might you partition 8 to help you?

Find the answer for each of these. Explain how you worked out your answers.

58 + 9 =

35 + 40 =

72 - 8 =

Find the missing number.

1 + ? + 5 = 35

Year 5 - Block D: Calculating, measuring and understanding shape
Unit 5D3 2 weeks

Objectives
 End-of-year expectations (key objectives) are highlighted
Children's learning outcomes in italic

Assessment for learning

  • Use efficient written methods to add and subtract whole numbers and decimals with up to two places
    I can add and subtract whole numbers and decimals with up to two places in columns

Show me your method for solving these problems:
Max jumped 2.35 metres on his second try at the long jump. This was 68 centimetres longer than on his first try. How far in metres did he jump on his first try?
Nasreen made some fruit punch. She poured 2.4 litres of water, 1.35 litres of pineapple juice and 780ml of mango juice into a large bowl. How much fruit punch did she make?
Did you make any estimates? Explain how you worked out the answers.

The assessment questions can also be used as success criteria, which can be shared with children. In the case of the Year 2 example, the success criteria would indicate that children can add and subtract pairs of numbers such as 34 and 8 and can explain their method to others. For Year 5, the success criteria would be that children can interpret word problems involving the addition and subtraction of whole and decimal numbers, can use efficient written methods for pairs of numbers such as 2.35 and 0.85 and explain their methods and solutions to others.

The two objectives and the assessment questions show the progress expected of children over a period of three years and how this progress can involve children so they recognise what they have achieved and what they need to achieve next.