Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a blog post published on April 26, 2021
Not all textbooks are created equal. When choosing a maths mastery programme, make sure you look for one that has been designed from top to bottom with maths learners in mind.
There’s a big difference between good and great. A good maths textbook programme should cover the primary curriculum and support children’s progression. A great maths textbook programme should go even further — taking all aspects of learning into consideration.
Here are five Maths — No Problem! textbook details that may seem small, but are big for supporting the learning of maths for mastery.
1. The first maths mastery textbook built from scratch
Our Primary Maths Series is the only maths mastery textbook series designed from scratch. The illustrations, imagery, characters, maths problems, colours, even the wording were all carefully considered and created holistically from the ground up. Each textbook detail exists as one piece of a larger system.
In a way, we’re telling a maths story. Children progress through a system of learning with rules, sequencing and context that helps them get familiar with the
2. Uses an accessible font designed for primary school learners
Created by Colophon Foundry in partnership with Castledown Primary School, our Castledown font is handcrafted and completely original. Why does this matter? The attributes and characteristics of this font have been designed to mirror exactly how children learn to write on the page. So, instead of demanding that children learn a new skill, we’re meeting them at their level.
At Maths — No Problem! we believe every child can master an understanding and love of maths with the right support. The Castledown font even helps learners with reading disabilities like dyslexia because research into the apparatus of dyslexia has taught us that the spacing between the letters needs to be precise to promote understanding and clarity.
3. The visual textbook layout
We worked with experts to make sure there’s a specific balance between content and whitespace that guarantees legibility. Everything is designed with purpose. Visual contrast and differentiation help children intuitively know how to read the page, while the colour palette is designed so that children who are colourblind can differentiate coloured objects.
We also made sure things are presented in a visually correct way. This subtle detail is important; it supports learners’ understanding of 3-D shapes as they progress through the primary years. This can be diagnostic information for teachers.
4. Uses real-life examples in maths problems
In Maths — No problem! textbooks, nothing is decorative. Each element is there because it supports learning.
Attention is paid to the proper representations and arrangement of items. All the problems are real, arising from real-life scenarios that teach children about what they see and experience around them. The details are also real and geographically-tailored where required. For instance, learners in New Zealand will see their local flora and fauna used so it better reflects their own reality.
5. The Maths — No Problem! characters grow up
As children grow up and move into different year groups, the Maths — No Problem! characters grow up with them. In this way, they have a familiar companion who will accompany them and guide them on their journey. This companion even has a personality and a story which is comforting to learners. As the pupils, and thus the characters get older, arrangements become more challenging in line with their development.
All of these details may seem small and simple, but we can assure you they are all very thoughtfully designed and integrated to give pupils every advantage when it comes to learning maths. After all, every little bit helps!
Interested in learning more?
See how Maths — No Problem! can support your practice through award-winning textbooks and workbooks, step-by-step teacher guides, and online CPD videos.
