KS1 Maths Learning Objectives & How to Achieve Them Effectively
Key Stage 1 (KS1) Maths covers Years 1 and 2 in the UK curriculum. The main goal is to develop a strong mathematical foundation in number sense, operations, shapes, measurements, and problem-solving.
1. Number & Place Value
Learning Objectives:
✔️ Count to and across 100 (forwards & backwards) from any number.
✔️ Understand place value in two-digit numbers (tens and ones).
✔️ Identify and represent numbers using objects, pictures, and numerals.
✔️ Compare and order numbers up to 100.
✔️ Recognize odd and even numbers.
How to Achieve It Effectively:
✅ Use Number Lines & Hundred Squares – Helps children see patterns in numbers.
✅ Practice Counting Daily – Count objects, steps, and coins.
✅ Play Place Value Games – Use base ten blocks or drawings to represent numbers.
✅ Use Real-Life Examples – E.g., comparing house numbers, reading bus numbers.
2. Addition & Subtraction
Learning Objectives:
✔️ Add and subtract numbers up to 20 (Year 1) and 100 (Year 2).
✔️ Understand number bonds to 10, 20, and 100.
✔️ Solve simple one-step problems using objects, drawings, or mental maths.
How to Achieve It Effectively:
✅ Use Hands-On Activities – Use counters, cubes, or fingers to visualize sums.
✅ Practice Number Bonds Daily – Use songs, flashcards, and apps.
✅ Play Board Games & Card Games – Such as Snakes & Ladders or Dominoes.
✅ Use Word Problems – “If I have 7 apples and eat 2, how many are left?”
3. Multiplication & Division (Year 2)
Learning Objectives:
✔️ Recognize equal groups and repeated addition as multiplication.
✔️ Understand 2, 5, and 10 times tables.
✔️ Solve simple division problems by sharing or grouping.
✔️ Recognize halves and quarters as simple fractions.
How to Achieve It Effectively:
✅ Use Arrays & Grouping – Draw dots in rows and columns to represent multiplication.
✅ Practice Skip Counting – Count in 2s, 5s, and 10s aloud and with claps.
✅ Play Multiplication Games – Use dice, dominoes, or online apps.
✅ Use Real-Life Examples – “If we have 4 people and 8 biscuits, how many does each get?”
4. Fractions (Year 2)
Learning Objectives:
✔️ Recognize 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 as equal parts of a whole.
✔️ Find fractions of shapes, objects, and numbers.
✔️ Understand that two halves make a whole.
How to Achieve It Effectively:
✅ Cut Food into Fractions – E.g., cut pizza, sandwiches, or fruit into halves and quarters.
✅ Use Visuals & Folding Paper – Show how a whole can be split into parts.
✅ Play Fractions Matching Games – Match pictures of fractions to their symbols.
5. Measurement
Learning Objectives:
✔️ Compare and measure length, weight, capacity, and time using non-standard and standard units.
✔️ Use and understand £ and p for money calculations.
✔️ Tell time to the hour and half-hour (Year 1) and quarter past/to (Year 2).
How to Achieve It Effectively:
✅ Use Real-Life Examples – Measure height, weigh ingredients, and compare water in cups.
✅ Practice Telling Time Daily – Use analogue clocks, timers, and schedules.
✅ Play Money Games – Use toy coins and role-play shopping games.
6. Shapes & Geometry
Learning Objectives:
✔️ Identify and name 2D (circle, square, triangle, etc.) and 3D shapes (cube, sphere, pyramid, etc.).
✔️ Recognize lines of symmetry.
✔️ Describe position and movement (left, right, above, below, etc.).
How to Achieve It Effectively:
✅ Play Shape Hunts – Look for shapes in everyday objects.
✅ Use Building Blocks & Tangrams – Help visualize and manipulate shapes.
✅ Draw & Cut Out Shapes – Reinforces shape properties.
7. Problem-Solving & Reasoning
Learning Objectives:
✔️ Apply maths to real-life problems.
✔️ Use logical reasoning and patterns.
✔️ Explain how they solved a problem.
How to Achieve It Effectively:
✅ Ask “How do you know?” – Encourage explaining their thinking.
✅ Use Open-Ended Questions – E.g., “Can you find another way to solve this?”
✅ Encourage Estimation – Before solving, ask, “What do you think the answer will be?”
Final Tips for Success
🔹 Make Learning Fun – Use games, apps, and hands-on activities.
🔹 Encourage Daily Practice – A few minutes each day improves confidence.
🔹 Connect Maths to Everyday Life – Shopping, cooking, and playing reinforce skills.
🔹 Praise Effort, Not Just Accuracy – Celebrate progress and encourage resilience.
Would you like worksheets or activity ideas for any specific topic? 😊📚 Leave a comment.
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