Eliciting pupil perspectives in primary mathematics: possibilities and issues

This article considers various approaches to consulting primary pupils about mathematics. This is done first through a literature review and second by drawing on our experience of designing and piloting pupil consultation in collaboration with staff in one primary school. Our concern is with the utility and drawbacks of the methods used rather than with substantive issues. We conclude that useful information can be gained from both the planning process and outcomes, but caution must be exercised in interpreting pupil responses. Social processes are involved and the possibility of social desirability effects must be acknowledged. Finally, we indicate the usefulness of using different approaches together.     

Perceptions of Mathematical Pattern amongst Primary Teachers

In a long-term study concerning mathematical tasks in primary schools, it was noted that teachers had difficulty in discussing mathematical processes and many lacked the vocabulary to do this. However, certain words and phrases such as 'pattern' or 'looking for pattern' were used with more confidence. With this in mind, discussions with teachers about commercial mathematics tasks were analysed based on mentions of pattern. It was found that the word was used frequently, but that some teachers had a wider and more sophisticated view of 'pattern' than others. There were also variations in their views about teaching pattern, with some making it clear that they had strategies for helping children to see patterns. There was a feeling amongst some teachers that not all children could see patterns, and there was a tendency for this group to regard 'pattern spotting' as a top set activity.     

Intervention programmes in mathematics and literacy: teaching assistants' perceptions of their training and support

We approach the recent argument put in this journal that teaching assistants (TAs) should be more strongly trained, monitored and supervised when teaching on intervention programmes. We suggest that the argument sits uneasily with wider management and educational literature. We examine TAs' experience of delivering important intervention programmes in mathematics and literacy. TAs report considerable variation in both their training and the quality of management involvement in their teaching. Consequently, we argue for an approach that includes TAs in a form of distributed leadership which recognises their specific capabilities rather than the model advocated both by government documents and by some researchers.