Mathematics at KS2 and communication difficulties

The National Curriculum for maths is statutory in all maintained, mainstream schools up to and including key stage 4. An appropriate version of the curriculum is used in maintained special schools. Key Stage 2 (KS2) covers years 3-6 (children aged from 8-11 years).

There are two issues at KS2: the child’s ability to understand largely language-based mathematical concepts and the issues with assessing a student with communication difficulties.

The difficulties at this stage are similar to KS1 are but more challenging because of the terminology and vocabulary to be learnt and the increased number of abstract concepts.

As for KS1, use as practical an approach as possible, use simple and consistent language and ensure that the child is being given every support in being understood.

 You can:

• Have a list of keywords and definitions, along with illustrations where possible, for the pupil to refer to on the table as they work.
• Try playing games such as ‘I am a shape/number – what am I?’ to reinforce concepts: model questions that could be asked, which focus on the concept of the shape, or number (or any other mathematical concepts such as types of graphs, times table) for example: do you have more than three corners? Are you an odd number? Are you a number less than twenty? This is a harder one based on times tables: Do you have only odd numbers in your times table answers?