White Rose Maths quickly became famous as the first choice of learning for primary schools teaching year 1 to year six maths. Essentially, the fundamental of White Rose Math is the mastery approach. This approach prioritises depth over acceleration. Moreover, it ensures an understanding of critical concepts before progressing. Interestingly, this approach aligns with the Learning Objectives of various school years, providing a coherent and connected curriculum. Consequently, it has been widely adopted.
If you want to know the Best Resources for Years 1 to 6, you’re in the right place. We are here with this comprehensive guide about White Rose. Breakdown of how the scheme works. Moreover, we will also help you to look for where you can find the best and most up-to-date resources to support your planning and teaching?
What is White Rose Maths?
It is the term used for the scheme of work of learning developed originally by the White Rose Maths Hub. However, the primary learning objectives from the national curriculum are taken from the White Rose SOL and are divided into teaching blocks for each term. The curriculum is divided into topics, referred to as the White Rose small steps.
Aims of the White Rose Maths?
White Rose Math aims to make teaching mathematics easier and more effective. Consequently, the design of the curriculum provides students with a solid foundation. By giving students an in-depth understanding of mathematics and enjoying solving mathematical problems with this course. While many schools are striving to develop learning resources to bridge educational gaps, the creation of these materials, akin to those for other subjects, is a time-consuming process. Oftentimes, schools find themselves pressed for time. Moreover, to aid in this endeavor, the program offers an extensive array of problem-solving questions, specifically designed to challenge and enhance the students’ abilities.
Furthermore, the program is not just about teaching maths; it is all about boosting mathematical thinking skills. This program ensures that students can think mathematically and confidently solve problems. Besides, White Rose Maths offers ‘small steps,’ which allow children to learn at their own pace while still achieving high grading. Lastly, this complete approach is based on the principles of cognitive psychology and child development.
Why Do Teachers Use White Rose Maths?
White Rose Math is a free learning scheme that is a significant draw for schools and school leaders grappling with a tight primary school budget. However, using the White Rose SOL has some advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of White Rose Math
- Small steps deliver progression through a topic in a logical way.
- Chances to go in-depth with a topic by spending a long time on it.
- Perfect for NQTs / RQTs or less confident teachers as it gives examples of fluency and problem-solving
- The whole school progression in maths is built-in and provided for all year groups from 1 year to 6.
Disadvantages of White Rose Math
- The White Rose SOL doesn’t include answers to fluency questions.
- Moreover, White Rose uses a complete maths mastery method, so there’s no guidance for varying the teaching in the classroom.
- Some lessons, like adding fractions with different denominators, progress too fast and, in our view, need more time.
White Rose Math Premium Resources
In addition to an extensive library of free White Rose Maths-aligned resources.
White Rose Maths 3 Scheme of Learning
As discussed earlier, the White Rose Maths curriculum is subject to frequent revisions. It’s in its third iteration, implying that materials from the first and second versions might require modifications. To Explain this, below is a summary of what to expect for each year group’s White Rose math planning.
White Rose Maths Year 1
White Rose Maths Year 1 focuses on place value, measurement, and the basics of the four operations.
In the autumn term, students cover:
- Place value within 10
- Addition and subtraction within 10
- Shape
In the spring:
- Place value within 20
- Addition and subtraction within 20
- Place value within 50
- Length and height
- Mass and volume
In the summer term:
- Multiplication and division
- Fractions
- Place value within 100
- Money
- Time
White Rose Maths Year 2
White Rose Maths Year 2 builds upon the knowledge gained in the first year and introduces new ideas.
Year 2 Autumn term covers:
- Place value
- Addition and subtraction
- Shape
Year 2 spring:
- Money
- Multiplication and division
- Length and height
- Mass, capacity and temperature
Year 2 summer topics include:
- Fractions
- Time
- Statistics
- Position and direction
White Rose Maths Year 3
White Rose Maths Year 3 aims to understand the four operations deeply. Moreover, students expand their knowledge of times tables, encounter more significant numbers and apply maths to real-life contexts.
Year 3 Autumn covers:
- Place value
- Addition and subtraction
- Multiplication and division (A)
Year 3 term:
- Multiplication and division (B)
- Length and perimeter
- Fractions (A)
- Mass and capacity
Year 3 summer term:
- Fractions (B)
- Money
- Time
- Shape
- Statistics
How White Rose Curriculum Structured?
The White Rose Math’s Curriculum caters to a wide range of learners from 1 Year to 16. Moreover, this inclusive approach divides the year into three distinct terms: Autumn, Spring, and Summer.
For example, a sub-term begins with a scheme focused on understanding shapes. Corresponding worksheets guide the students through various activities, from identifying basic shapes to understanding their properties and a deep and intuitive understanding of the concept. Moreover, its curriculum’s structure is a testament to the approach to learning. It’s not just about teaching maths; it’s about nurturing curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Accordingly, a statistic shows that student involvement in math has grown by 65% in schools that use the White Rose Curriculum.
Alternatives To White Rose Math?
Additionally, there are lots of White Rose Maths schemes alternatives that are available, such as Maths No Problem or Maths Mastery (from the Ark Foundation). However, the problem is they all are paid, and some are very expensive and intensive.
How Teachers Use White Rose Maths?
Teachers design notes to address common misconceptions, vocabulary, and commands, prompting students to think critically about problems. Subsequently, teachers easily convert them into PDF files and share them with students. Or they can order the more cost-effective printed workbooks. Moreover, the workbooks include all necessary math worksheets for the entire term. They are conveniently formatted for portability. Additionally, the worksheets, printed in vibrant colors, are pretty easy to understand.
White Rose And Educational Theory
White Rose Maths curriculum is not only a set of instructions; it’s a philosophical approach that intertwines with various educational theories and concepts. Keeping this in mind, here are some of them:
Metacognitive Awareness
“It encourages students to think about their thinking, fostering self-awareness and reflection. In doing so, it aligns with the principles of metacognition and helps students to understand their learning processes.
Dialogic Pedagogy
This curriculum promotes dialogue between teachers and students and develops a collaborative learning environment.
Constructivist Approach
Similarly, it aligns with constructivist theories, encouraging students to build strong knowledge through exploration.
Higher-Order Thinking Skills
It promotes critical thinking and problem-solving thought processes and helps students focus on understanding systems.
Schemes of Learning
White Rose’s structured approach aligns with the national curriculum, providing a coherent framework for class teaching across various topics.
Subject Knowledge
The curriculum enhances efficient instructional design by bolstering the subject expertise of instructors
Asynchronous Learning
The tools from White Rose can be modified for asynchronous learning, giving educators and students more freedom in the classroom.
The White Rose, symbolizing resistance against oppressive regimes, resonates deeply with educational theory, particularly in the context of BandLab for Education. Just as the White Rose members challenged Nazi ideology, educators employing BandLab foster critical thinking and creativity in students, empowering them to challenge conventional norms. BandLab’s collaborative platform mirrors the collective efforts of the White Rose group, promoting teamwork and solidarity among learners. Moreover, the platform’s emphasis on experimentation and innovation aligns with educational theories advocating for experiential learning. Through BandLab, students engage in active exploration, akin to the White Rose’s active defiance, cultivating a culture of learning that transcends boundaries and fosters independent thought.