Abacus and the Renewed Framework

The Primary National Strategy renewed Framework for mathematics has five key themes. Abacus can help you to address each one:

Framework theme	Abacus
Encourage flexibility in the organisation of the curriculum and the structure of literacy and mathematics lessons	… has flexible teacher cards, allowing you to adapt your planning into a blocked structure and according to the needs of your class.
Structure teaching and learning over sequences of lessons as well as within lessons	… has a carefully structured progression within each topic, signposting the route through the material over sequences of teacher cards.
Raise expectations for all children, especially those at greatest risk of underachievement	… includes Challenge and Support books for each year plus extension teaching ideas
Make more effective use of assessment to inform and direct teaching and learning	… includes an assessment book for every year to help you monitor the progression of the children in your class
Broaden and strengthen pedagogy to improve the quality of teaching and learning for all children	… is written by Ruth merttens and David Kirkby both of whom have years of experience in primary mathematics, and has been used in thousands of classrooms

What does this mean practically? Further down the page, you will find a set of FREE planning support resources to help you to identify where the detail of the renewed Framework may mean you will want to alter your planning and teaching using Abacus.

If your audit of resources indicates that a more thorough overhaul is needed, and you are considering changing your maths scheme, we are delighted to be able to announce the publication of Abacus Evolve Framework Edition in summer term 2007. Have a look here| at the benefits of changing over to Abacus Evolve.

You may find when auditing your materials or when looking at these free downloads that you want to add more resources to address a particular part of the renewed Framework. In this case, have a look at these great value resources.

Framework focus area	Extra Maths Resources
Supporting underperforming groups	Number Connections\|
Using and applying mathematics	Problem-solving Toolkit\| Groups Work\| Problem Solving\| Word Problems\| Abacus Evolve Solve the Problem software\|
Assessment for learning in mathematics	Assessing Key Objectives in Numeracy\|
Oral and mental work - speaking and listening	Talking Maths\| Groups Work\| Abacus Evolve Talk Maths software\|
Calculation	Interactive Mental Maths\|
Raise expectations	Maths Spotlight\| Maths Pyramid\|

Your FREE planning support resources are listed below. The Blocked Planning document provides a quick guide to show how the Abacus cards might be arranged according to a blocked structure. In addition a planning grid shows how Abacus cards may be matched to renewed framework objectives and recommends a teaching order plus provides links to extra free materials. The blocked plan shows how Abacus can be planned in the exact style of the renewed framework, giving a clear indication of which objectives are covered in each block. For each year group there is also a Matching Charts document showing how Abacus matches the renewed Framework objectives – plus links to extra free materials where necessary.

Renewed Framework Matching Charts| - Reception (PDF Format)

Renewed Framework Matching Charts| -Year 1 (PDF Format)

Renewed Framework Matching Charts| -Year 2 (PDF Format)

Renewed Framework Matching Charts| -Year 3 (PDF Format)

Renewed Framework Matching Charts| -Year 4 (PDF Format)

Renewed Framework Matching Charts| -Year 5 (PDF Format)

Renewed Framework Matching Charts| -Year 6 (PDF Format)

Blocked Planning Support Guide -Year 1| (PDF Format)

Blocked Planning Support Guide -Year 2| (PDF Format)

Blocked Planning Support Guide -Year 3| (PDF Format)

Blocked Planning Support Guide -Year 4| (PDF Format)

Blocked Planning Support Guide -Year 5| (PDF Format)