SEAL in Primary 3/2

SEAL is a new initiative that is being used for teaching numeracy in West Dunbartonshire.  It is new and it is different and we are all working hard to ensure that it benefits the learning of the children.  But I can imagine you really want to know what it actually looks like when we teach it and this is how we do it in P3/2.

We have 3 stations - 1) A working station 2) A teaching station 3) An active station

Here are some pictures from the working station:

Here the children complete differentiated laminated sheets which allow them to pick a number in their number range and show it in different ways.  They also have to complete a set of differentiated sums in their jotter which change on a daily basis.  The children are questioned by a supporting member of staff as to how they are achieving their answers and this is noted in their jotter for reference.

Here are some pictures from the teaching station:

Here we work a lot with dots, counters, cubes, ten squares and number/picture cards.  We identify numbers, we count out loud both forwards and backwards, we make arrays, we share, we add and subtract, we identify missing numbers.  Basically we cover the maths curriculum in a more active and hands on way where we really get the children involved in thinking about their learning and looking at different strategies when we approach a problem.

Here are some pictures from the active station:

Each groups has a box with a set of differentiated resources that help reinforce the teaching. They independently access these resources and are always motivated and engaged (as you can see from the pictures).

Every group gets the chance to go to every station during a numeracy lesson and we have also been incorporating some big SEAL lessons where we take bigger resources outside or to the hall to reinforce some of the teaching that we have been doing in class.

I have definitely noticed a difference in the way that the children are explaining their answers and talking about their strategies during numeracy. Their growth in confidence in such a short timescale is amazing and hopefully it transfers to their confidence in other areas too.