Key Stage 1: Math

Key Stage 1 (KS1) Mathematics in the UK covers Year 1 and Year 2 (ages 5-7) and aims to provide children with a strong foundation in numbers, calculations, and problem-solving, along with an introduction to shape, space, and measures. The curriculum emphasises developing fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.

Here's a summary of what's expected of a child in Key Stage 1 Math:

1. Number:

  • Number and Place Value:

    • Counting: Children should be able to count reliably to 100 (and beyond) forwards and backwards, beginning from any given number. They count in multiples of 2s, 5s, and 10s.

    • Reading and Writing Numbers: They read and write numbers to 100 in numerals and words.

    • Identifying Place Value: They identify and represent numbers using objects and pictorial representations, including the 10s and 1s. They understand the value of each digit in a two-digit number.

    • Comparing and Ordering: Children compare and order numbers to 100, and use the language of 'equal to', 'more than', 'less than' (fewer), 'most', 'least'.

    • Estimating: They learn to estimate numbers of objects.

  • Addition and Subtraction:

    • Number Bonds: Children should know and use number bonds to 20 (e.g., 5+5=10, 7+3=10, 15+5=20) and related subtraction facts.

    • Mental Calculation: They add and subtract one-digit and two-digit numbers to 20, including zero. They begin to add and subtract mentally with two-digit numbers and one-digit numbers, and two two-digit numbers (without crossing the tens boundary in Year 1, then with crossing in Year 2).

    • Formal Methods (Introduction): In Year 2, they are introduced to columnar addition and subtraction for two-digit numbers (without carrying or borrowing initially).

    • Problem Solving: They solve one-step problems that involve addition and subtraction, using concrete objects and pictorial representations, and missing number problems (e.g., 7=□−9).

  • Multiplication and Division:

    • Repeated Addition/Sharing: Children are introduced to multiplication as repeated addition and division as sharing and grouping.

    • Multiplication and Division Facts: They learn the multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5, and 10 multiplication tables.

    • Problem Solving: They solve simple problems involving multiplication and division, using concrete objects, arrays, and repeated addition/subtraction.

  • Fractions:

    • Recognising Fractions: Children recognise, find, and name a half (1/2) and a quarter (1/4) of an object, shape, or quantity. In Year 2, this extends to one-third (1/3), two-quarters (2/4), and three-quarters (3/4) of a length, shape, set of objects, or quantity.

    • Equivalence: They begin to recognise the equivalence of 2/4 and 1/2.

2. Measurement:

  • Length, Height, Mass, Capacity, Time:

    • Comparing and Measuring: Children compare, describe, and solve practical problems for lengths and heights, mass/weight, capacity/volume, and time. They use appropriate standard units (e.g., cm, m, g, kg, ml, l, hours, minutes, seconds).

    • Reading Scales: They read the time to the hour and half past the hour (Year 1), and to the nearest 5 minutes (Year 2). They also read simple scales for length, mass, and capacity.

    • Money: Children recognise and know the value of different denominations of coins and notes. They find different combinations of coins that equal the same amounts of money and solve simple money problems.

3. Geometry:

  • Properties of Shapes:

    • 2-D and 3-D Shapes: Children recognise and name common 2-D shapes (e.g., rectangles, squares, circles, triangles) and 3-D shapes (e.g., cuboids, cubes, pyramids, spheres).

    • Identifying Properties: They identify the number of sides, vertices (corners), and lines of symmetry in 2-D shapes, and the number of faces, edges, and vertices on 3-D shapes.

  • Position and Direction:

    • Movement and Direction: Children describe position, direction, and movement, including whole, half, quarter, and three-quarter turns.

    • Coordinates (Informal): They use language such as 'left', 'right', 'forwards', 'backwards', 'up', 'down', 'above', 'below', 'next to'.

4. Statistics (Year 2 only):

  • Presenting Data: Children interpret and construct simple pictograms, tally charts, block diagrams, and simple tables.

  • Asking and Answering Questions: They ask and answer simple questions by counting the number of objects in each category and sorting the categories by quantity. They also ask and answer questions about totaling and comparing categorical data.

Throughout KS1, children are encouraged to use concrete objects (like counters, blocks, money), pictorial representations (like drawings, number lines), and abstract methods (like numbers and symbols) to develop their mathematical understanding. Emphasis is placed on practical activities and solving problems in a variety of contexts.