Big Ideas is a catch-up programme for students in Years 5 and upwards. It covers maths concepts from NZC Levels 1-3 in a 12-week intervention.

  • Numbers and our Number system
  • Addition
  • Subtraction
  • Multiplication
  • Division
  • Fractions
  • Decimals 
  • Percentages

Big Ideas is written for small group of students but also found to be successful with a small class of students allowing the teacher to help the students understand not only the concepts in maths but also the language. Conversation is a key part of learning. 

The components of the programme are a Teaching Guide and apparatus pack.  We have also created a class pack which also includes place value blocks.

Learn more about this highy successful intervention

Join or request a online course 


NZ classroom resources

These resources are adapted for the NZ classroom from the Big Ideas Programme.

BIG IDEAS sample and supporting files with NZ money.  

Checklist for understanding


Photocopy masters

Place Value Chart including decimals

Matching Big Ideas to Numicon, Discovering Mathematics and Myimaths (secondary)


Other resources

What is Dyscalculia and the best intervention?  – Mahesh Sharma