Max Maths, Year 3, Learn together, Months of the year (3)

In the Max Maths programme for Year 3, students are introduced to a simple and interactive method to remember the number of days in each month. The technique involves a physical activity that can be both fun and educational. To begin, children are asked to make fists with both hands and place them side by side in front of them. This visual and tactile approach helps to create a memorable learning experience.

Starting with the left hand and assigning the first month, January, to the knuckle of the little finger, children progress from knuckle to gap and so on, alternating between the two, assigning each subsequent month to a knuckle or gap. The knuckles represent the months with 31 days, while the gaps indicate the months with fewer days. This means that February, which is assigned to a gap, is correctly remembered as having 28 or 29 days. By the time they reach the knuckle of the index finger on the right hand, which represents July, they loop back to the knuckle of the little finger on the same hand for August, continuing the pattern. This hands-on activity provides a practical way for children to learn and recall the number of days in each month throughout the year.