Why Problem Solving Needs to be Taught - AfterMaths

In this Aftermaths episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon and Becky chat about the strange, busy, slightly chaotic stretch of the school year just before half term, from transition days and sports events to staffing conversations and year group changes.

They reflect on how different primary teaching can feel from one year group to another, and why every phase, from EYFS and Key Stage 1 through to Year 6, needs strong subject knowledge and careful teaching.

The main discussion focuses on working systematically as a key problem solving strategy in primary maths.

Jon and Becky explore why pupils are often told to “work systematically” without necessarily being taught what that actually means. They discuss how the skill develops from early sorting and ordering in Key Stage 1, through to recording possibilities, finding combinations, identifying factor pairs, proving that all solutions have been found, and eventually supporting algebraic thinking.

They also consider why working systematically is not just a SATs strategy, but an important part of pupils’ wider mathematical toolkit.

Topics include:

• why summer term can feel particularly busy in primary schools
• the challenge of year group moves and staffing decisions
• why early maths teaching matters so much
• how gaps in Key Stage 1 can affect later success in Key Stage 2
• what working systematically looks like in primary maths
• why problem solving strategies need to be explicitly taught
• using sorting, ordering and recording to support systematic thinking
• factor pairs, common multiples and combinations
• helping pupils prove they have found all possible solutions
• the role of manipulatives, representations and talk
• Twinkl’s new problem solving collection
• upcoming TeachMeet CPD on working systematically and using models