Why Problem Solving Needs to be Taught - AfterMaths

In this Aftermaths episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon and Becky chat about the strange, busy, slightly chaotic stretch of the school year just before half term, from transition days and sports events to staffing conversations and year group changes.They reflect on how different primary teaching can feel from one year group to another, and why every phase, from EYFS and Key Stage 1 through to Year 6, needs strong subject knowledge and careful teaching.The main discussion focuses on working systematically as a key problem solving strategy in primary maths.Jon and Becky explore why pupils are often told to “work systematically” without necessarily being taught what that actually means. They discuss how the skill develops from early sorting and ordering in Key Stage 1, through to recording possibilities, finding combinations, identifying factor pairs, proving that all solutions have been found, and eventually supporting algebraic thinking.They also consider why working systematically is not just a SATs strategy, but an important part of pupils’ wider mathematical toolkit.Topics include:why summer term can feel particularly busy in primary schoolsthe challenge of year group moves and staffing decisionswhy early maths teaching matters so muchhow gaps in Key Stage 1 can affect later success in Key Stage 2what working systematically looks like in primary mathswhy problem solving strategies need to be explicitly taughtusing sorting, ordering and recording to support systematic thinkingfactor pairs, common multiples and combinationshelping pupils prove they have found all possible solutionsthe role of manipulatives, representations and talkTwinkl’s new problem solving collectionupcoming TeachMeet CPD on working systematically and using models