Maths Homework is a set of seven books to consolidate mathematical concepts that would be learned in school. Adapted from the UK curriculum, the books attempt to match up the 7 age-groups (reception to year 6) to the 8 year curriculum in Ireland. Therefore, this programme starts at a Senior Infant level and works its way up to 6th class. There are only four strands to the UK maths curriculum so you’ll find the algebra strand mixed up amongst the Number strand here.
To be fair, because the UK and Irish Maths curriculum is very similar, the book is matched well. 3rd class do the equivalent of Year 3 (Book D) for example. Now although Year 3 in the UK is the same chronologically as 2nd class in Ireland, UK children learn concepts like short multiplication and division in this year.
Essentially, the book contains worksheets to photocopy along with answer keys. It also outlines the curriculum objectives and concepts required to achieve these objectives. That’s about it. It gives the teacher the opportunity to not make their own worksheets and in some strands this is a welcome thing.
Relevance to the curriculum aims: 5/5
Well done to Prim-Ed for matching UK curriculum levels with Irish ones. It’s a bit embarrassing that the UK are a year ahead of us every year in their implementation on the curriculum but, I guess they do have the numeracy hour, so could pack a lot more into their curriculum. It’s good to see that Prim-Ed noticed this and weren’t tempted to simply cut and paste the aims of the UK curriculum in an age-based way.
Teacher usability:3/5
It would be impossible for a teacher not to know what to do with this book. Step One: Photocopy a page, Step 2: Give one page per pupil. However, what would have made this product even better and more individual to the teacher was if there were equivalent worksheets with numbers, shapes, etc. left out so teachers could fill them in to make their own worksheets. Better yet, an electronic template of this would make possibilities almost endless.
Value for money 3/5
For €24.95, one will have one set of these photocopiable worksheets forever, so it’s probably reasonable value to pay about €175 for the full series to support a school. However, I can only see it being used by time-strapped teachers. If an electronic template for each page was made, I think I would spend a little bit more on each book as the possibilities would increase.
Extras-0/5
No extras. I know I’m harping on about the electronic template. But I shall continue to do so. As of now, there isn’t.
For the teacher who enjoys photocopying worksheets for homework, this series is great. If you’re a teacher who differentiates your lessons, you might want to avoid this until my recommendation happens. I can’t really see a place for this product in the more innovative classrooms in Ireland but it certainly still has its place somewhere.
Total score: 11/20
