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Maths Number Awards

Year R and Key Stage 1 Number Awards

The Objective 

Year R:  To recall number bonds to 5 

Year 1:  To recall number bonds to 10/20 and doubles/halves to 20 

The Challenge 

A teacher or LSA can test the children on their Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Awards.  They will need some number cards up to 20 (5 counters for number bonds to 5).  When a child is tested, they will not be timed however they will need to recall the answer instantly with no obvious signs of working it out in their head or counting on fingers etc. Below are the cards you will need for each challenge: 

  • 5 objects (counters) used for number bonds to 5. 

  • Number cards 0-10 used for number bonds to 10 and doubles.  

  • Number cards 0-20 used for number bonds to 20. 

  • Even number cards used for halves.  

The child will need to do each card (or quantity) twice, so once they have been through the cards once they would repeat the cards again for a second time.  If they have completed this with no hesitations they can then move on to practising the next challenge.

The Awards 

 

 

When a child has completed the challenges they will receive a certificate.   

 

How to help your child at home:  

1. Write out the number bonds/doubles/halves and identify which ones they know already  

2. Begin to ask them facts they do know to build confidence  

3. Practise using the number cards provided  

4. Celebrate when they achieve their award  

A useful online game to practice rapid recall is: www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button  

Children also have a log in for Numbots. It would be ideal to use this at least 3x per week to secure and embed their knowledge of early number skills.  

Children need to work through the above number challenges in order but can aim to achieve the awards sooner than expected.  Once they have achieved both these awards, they will move onto learning times tables.    

Please speak to your child’s class teacher if you want any additional information.  

 

Times Tables Challenges

For many years, children have had the opportunity to achieve awards for learning their times tables.  Times tables are a fundamental part of maths and the ability to recall them at speed extremely benefits children and enables them to develop fluency in many other areas of maths. 

Within the National Curriculum, the expectation is that all pupils know their x2, x5 and x10 by the end of KS1 (Year 2) and  all pupils know their times tables up to 12 x 12 by the end of Year 4.   

The Challenge 

A teacher or LSA will test the children on their times tables.  They will use a pack of playing cards with the Jack, Queen, King removed (the Ace card is used as a 1) and a timer.  The two minute timer will be started and the playing cards will be turned over one at a time.  The child must multiply their times table by the number on the card turned. 

i.e. if they are doing the 2x table and a 4 is turned over they must say 8. (2 x 4 = 8) 

The cards continue to be turned over until all 40 are completed or the time has run out.  If they complete all 40 in the two minutes then they will be able to tick off that times table. 

The Awards

Year 1/2 

Throughout Key Stage 1, pupils will be taught to count in 2s, 5s and 10s.  Following this they will learn to recall and use these multiplication facts.  When children are ready, they will be tested on each times table and once they have achieved their 2s, 5s and 10s they will receive their Bronze Certificate in celebration assembly.  If they have not achieved this by the summer of Year 2, their class teacher will test them and provide appropriate support to enable them to be successful.  Following the Bronze award, children will then work toward greater fluency through their Copper award.  This will be one pack of cards (with the picture cards removed) and one pack with a mix of 2s, 5s and 10s (these will be provided by school).  There will be 40 pairs to answer in 2 minutes. If a child achieves a Copper award in Year 1, they will retake this again at the beginning of Year 2 to ensure they have retained their 2s, 5s and 10s knowledge. 

How to help your child learn their times tables:

1. Write out the times tables in order and identify which ones they know already 

2. Practice counting in order 

3. Begin to ask them facts they do know to build confidence 

4. Write the trickier ones out in a specific place e.g. on a cereal box, stick one on the bathroom mirror 

5. Practice the test at home with playing cards 

6. Celebrate when they achieve their award 

A useful online game to practice rapid recall is:  www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button 

Children also have a log in for Times Table Rockstars. It would be ideal to use this weekly to secure and embed their knowledge of times tables. 

Children need to work through the Times Tables challenges in order but can aim to achieve the awards sooner than expected.  The earlier they know their times tables, the better!   

Please speak to your child’s class teacher if you want any additional information. 

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