New lessons and homework tasks on Primary MyMaths

By Isobel, 2 March 2023. Posted in Primary

We are pleased to announce the release of seven new pairs of matching lesson and homework tasks on Primary MyMaths!

Last year we released our first “small steps” lesson and homework pairs, which covered perimeter topics from lower Key Stage 2. We have now expanded the Primary “small steps” offering by publishing seven new pairs on area at upper Key Stage 2.

The new lesson and homework pairs cover the following topics:

Area of a rectangle
Using the area of a rectangle
Area of a right-angled triangle
Area of any triangle
Using the area of a triangle
Area of a parallelogram
Using the area of a parallelogram

While designing these resources, we have considered and reviewed a wide variety of feedback from teachers on the scope, difficulty, differentiation, and accessibility of our content. Each lesson and homework pair takes a more granular approach, targeting a narrow set of learning objectives from the same unit of work.

The lessons explain the key concepts, supporting children’s understanding of the topic.

A lesson page showing a parallelogram on a square grid. Dashed lines split up the parallelogram into an oblong and two right-angled triangles. Text describes these shapes and then says, “If we move a triangle from one side to the other side, we will form an oblong.” — This lesson page uses diagrams and animations to explore the relationship between the area of a parallelogram and the area of a rectangle.

The lessons also tackle common mistakes and misconceptions and encourage children to reason mathematically.

A lesson page showing a diagram of a parallelogram with four lengths labelled: the base (9 cm), the perpendicular height (marked outside the parallelogram), a non-perpendicular side (4 cm), and the total distance of the base and the dashed line leading to the marked height. A speech bubble contains the working of a pupil, Ayo, who has used the base and the non-perpendicular side length to calculate the area. Text says, “What mistake has Ayo made? Ayo has used the sides labelled 9 cm and 4 cm, which are not perpendicular. When we calculate the area of a parallelogram, we need to use lengths that are perpendicular.” — This lesson page reminds children that when we calculate the area of a parallelogram, the base and height need to be perpendicular.

The questions in the homework task are pitched such that any child who is secure with the concepts can achieve success on both question pages.

A homework page showing two questions. On the left-hand side pupils are asked to calculate the area of a parallelogram; the diagram shows extra lengths that they don’t need. On the right-hand side is a diagram of a parallelogram with the base and perpendicular height labelled; text says, “A piece of metal is in the shape of a parallelogram. Calculate the area of the piece of metal. — On the first page of this homework task, children find the area of simple parallelograms. On the second page they need to decide which lengths to use in their calculation and solve a simple problem in context.

Look out for the new lesson and homework pairs in the Library within each curriculum view.

Which topics for new resources would be most useful to you? If you have any feedback for us, please let us know at mail@mymaths.co.uk.