What is Numicon?
Numicon is a multi-sensory maths teaching programme using visual Numicon images in a series of practical teaching activities currently comprising three stages – Foundation, Stage 1 and Stage 2.
The teaching programme which accompanies the Numicon apparatus has been developed by the authors as they work with children and teachers on a daily basis. The teaching activities are described on a series of illustrated cards.
The teaching activities use the structured Numicon shapes showing the Numicon patterns. Numicon patterns are arrangements of holes in plastic shapes that correspond to the numbers 1 to 10. The pattern of the holes for each number follows the same basic system of arranging holes 'in pairs'. So when Numicon patterns are arranged in order, pupils begin to notice important connections between numbers for instance that each number is one more than the last and one fewer than the next, odd and even numbers and place value.
Numicon illustrates addition and subtraction, place value, doubling and halving, estimation, division, multiplication and much more. Pupils actively enjoy using Numicon, either independently or in groups. The colourful and durable pieces are ideal for whole class mental maths activities. As teachers begin to work with the materials they quickly find further ways of using Numicon.
Designed to enhance the multi-sensory Numicon programme, our software offers teachers a rich library of images and models to use on interactive whiteboards in arithmetic teaching.
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