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Manipulatives and Talk: Strengthening Mathematical Understanding

Summary

High quality mathematics teaching rests on two complementary elements:

• Manipulatives that make mathematical structures visible, accessible and memorable.

• Talk that enables learners to articulate, justify and refine their thinking.

Together, these approaches build confident, independent mathematicians who understand the why, not just the what. This professional development supports teachers to unite concrete resources with structured dialogue so pupils can see the mathematics and say the mathematics — securing deep, transferable understanding.

What the Session Covers:

• How manipulatives reveal mathematical structure and support CPA progression.

• Practical strategies for purposeful selection and consistent modelling.

• Talk routines that deepen reasoning and develop precise mathematical language.

• Ways to reduce cognitive load and strengthen inclusion for SEND and EAL learners.

• Classroom activities that combine hands on exploration with structured dialogue.

Session dates:

Session 1: Tuesday 24th November 2026, 9am - 12pm

Session 2: Tuesday 2nd March 2027, 9am - 12pm

Recommended for

KS1 and KS2 teachers, including experienced practitioners and Early Career Teachers. Particularly schools seeking to strengthen consistency, inclusion and deep mathematical reasoning across classrooms.

Venue

SDSA Training Room, Alliance House, 6 Bishop Street, LE1 6AF

Cost

Free for Leicester City maintained schools. £180 for non-maintained city schools and all Leicestershire schools.

Further Information

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Your school's commitment to this booking

Involvement in this booking requires a commitment. By signing up, you and your school agree to:

Release named staff to attend date/s as detailed in the booking information.
Support staff with school-based activities, gap tasks and improvement work.
Engage fully with all booking opportunities, including any school-based support.
Provide at least 48 hours’ notice for cancellations. Late cancellations or non-attendance will incur a full charge.
- Maintained Leicester City primary schools (accessing the session/s free of charge) will be charged the non-maintained fee.
- Non-maintained and all Leicestershire schools will pay the advertised session fee / will not receive a refund when payment is taken upfront.
Non-maintained and all Leicestershire schools: Please note that invoices will be raised in accordance with the booking details provided. Where your organisation requires a Purchase Order, this should be requested and then supplied to finance@sdsa.net within 2 weeks of making the booking.

I can confirm that my school and I are in agreement with the terms outlined above.