By Mrs Martin (Head of Year 3)

At BGS, Mathematics is more than just numbers; it’s a language of discovery, logic and collaboration.

In Year 3, learning is hands-on and dynamic, with students actively engaging in multiplication and division, not just completing worksheets. We nurture thinkers, problem-solvers and collaborators who tackle challenges with confidence and creativity.

This week the girls have been mastering the Grid Method for multiplication and the Bus Stop method for division.

On Wednesday, our young mathematicians worked in pairs, arranging counters into equal groups before even picking up a pencil. They didn’t just solve 84 ÷ 4, they explored, proved, and discussed. Testing ideas aloud, comparing strategies, and refining their thinking, they negotiated, problem-solved, and celebrated their shared success. The power of peer learning was clear. One student paused, then explained, “Wait, if we split this ten, we need to exchange it before sharing it out.” Her partner listened, nodded, and together they adjusted their method. Verbalising thinking, learning from mistakes, and working collaboratively, this is the magic of inquiry-based learning.

When they transitioned to the formal written bus stop method, the hands-on experience ensured they truly understood the process. They questioned, challenged, and reflected: Why do we exchange the extra ten? Where does the remainder go? This wasn’t just about division, it was mathematical thinking in action.

With every number shared, exchanged, and grouped, our students develop critical thinking, resilience, and leadership; core attributes of an IB learner. Most importantly, they’re discovering that Maths isn’t something to fear but something to explore, question and conquer together.