LINKING HOME AND SCHOOL MATHEMATICS: THE HOME SCHOOL KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE PROJECT

Abstract

In this paper, we report some initial findings from the numeracy strand of the Home School Knowledge Exchange Project, which is part of the ESRC Teaching and Learning Research Programme. The overall aim of the project is to develop, implement and evaluate the impact of new methods of exchanging knowledge between home and school. The project has three strands, one of which focuses on enhancing numeracy at Key Stage 2. In this strand we are working with the teachers, children and parents of four primary schools, two in Bristol and two in Cardiff. The paper describes the knowledge exchange activities developed within this strand, and reports some initial findings and issues for further exploration. The nature of home mathematics, and its relationship to school mathematics, is discussed, and this is illustrated through the case study of a girl called Nadia. The paper concludes by discussing issues arising from implementing methods of knowledge exchange.