Glebe Challenge

Children begin to complete Glebe challenges weekly from Year 1 upwards. Mental maths involves completing short mathematical problems without the use of a pen and paper or a calculator. It is not only useful in school, but in everyday life, such as working out change; sharing items between a group of people and working out when to leave in order to arrive at the correct time.

Mental maths can be used in place of more formal methods. For example, what is 47 + 65? It’s easier to do this in your head if you break the numbers down into their digits’ values: 40 + 60 = 100 and 7 + 5 = 12. Add those two totals and you get the answer of 112.

Improving mental maths skills is a priority of ours at Glebe. Exercising mental maths skills helps to exercise both sides of the brain and has been strongly associated with better memory skills.

To aid with exercising our mental maths skills, every week, the children undertake a Glebe Challenge. This involves the children completing a sheet of mental maths problems within a 5-minute time frame.

Each category and what they entail is detailed below:

There are six sheets within each category which become more difficult as they progress. Your child will receive a certificate upon successful completion of each level. This is repeated weekly until children can successfully pass the level within the required time. Should your child be stuck on the same level for an extended amount of time, interventions will take place to help them reach their target.