bodyType

customContents

entityId

printArticlePageQuery

filter

article

body

urlAlias

articleSectionsContent

articleSeoArticle

articleSourceHeaderArticle

contentSchemaRenderContent

contentSubHeadlineContent

contentHeadlineContent

mainImagePrintArticleArticle

authorBlockPrintArticleArticle

contentSponsorTagContent

articlePianoPaywallContent

scmpYoutubeContent

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

query printArticlePageQuery(
  $entityId: String!
  $customContents: [CustomContentInput]
  $bodyType: BodyFormatTypeEnum
) {
  article(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
      json
    }
    urlAlias
    ...articleSectionsContent
    ...articleSeoArticle_3o8td4
    ...articleSourceHeaderArticle
    ...contentSchemaRenderContent
    ...contentSubHeadlineContent
    ...contentHeadlineContent
    ...mainImagePrintArticleArticle
    ...authorBlockPrintArticleArticle
    ...contentSponsorTagContent
    ...articlePianoPaywallContent
    ...scmpYoutubeContent
    ...hooksTrackPageViewArticle
    id
  }
}

fragment articlePianoPaywallContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksPaywallPromiseContent
}

fragment articleSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment articleSeoArticle_3o8td4 on Article {
  ...hooksArticleSeoArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersGetArticleTypeArticle
  entityId
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
  summary {
    text
  }
  subHeadline {
    text
  }
  body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
    text
  }
  keywords
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  topics {
    name
    entityId
    id
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  images {
    style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  readingTime
}

fragment articleSourceHeaderArticle on Article {
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
}

fragment authorBlockPrintArticleArticle on Article {
  ...defaultArticleDateContent
  ...authorNamesArticle
}

fragment authorNameAuthor on Author {
  ...entityLink
  name
  entityUuid
}

fragment authorNamesArticle on Article {
  authorLocations
  authors {
    entityId
    location
    ...authorNameAuthor
    id
  }
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...hooksInlinePlusWidgetContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment defaultArticleDateContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksArticleDateUtilsContent
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle on Article {
  entityId
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  disableOffPlatformContent
  sponsorType
  published
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    paywallTypes {
      entityUuid
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        entityId
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment hooksArticleDateUtilsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  createdDate
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
}

fragment hooksArticleSeoArticle on Article {
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle
  entityId
  headline
  socialHeadline
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
  images {
    generic_og: style(filter: {style: "og_image_scmp_generic"}) {
      url
    }
    styles(filter: {styles: ["og_image_posties_article", "og_postmag", "og_image_style", "og_image_scmp_analysis", "og_image_scmp_explainer", "og_image_scmp_editorial", "og_image_scmp_fact_check", "og_image_scmp_debate", "og_image_scmp_live", "og_image_scmp_obituary", "og_image_scmp_opinion", "og_image_scmp_review", "og_image_scmp_series", "og_image_scmp_generic"]}) {
      url
      style
    }
    type
  }
  urlAlias
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksInlinePlusWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment hooksPaywallPromiseContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment hooksTrackPageViewArticle on Article {
  entityId
  publishedDate
  headline
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  entityUuid
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment mainImagePrintArticleArticle on Article {
  images {
    title
    url
    isSlideshow
    size_652x446: style(filter: {style: "652x446"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}


sections

types

disableOffPlatformContent

sponsorType

published

headline

socialHeadline

authors

images

publishedDate

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

keywords

topics

readingTime

authorLocations

entityUuid

My son is in Year  Five, and over the past year the style and content of his maths homework has changed. He used to get one or more worksheets to complete weekly, but now his teacher often sets homework linked to maths websites. He  seems to enjoy these tasks and gets on with them independently. The trouble is that it is much harder for me to monitor how he is getting on and to know what he is covering in class. Are most schools taking this new approach to maths homework and how can I help him?
Firstly, it is good to hear that your son is enjoying his mathematics homework and working independently. You have not mentioned the type of school he attends but certainly many international schools, in particular, are generally taking a more technology-based approach to homework. 
Children today are digital learners and tend to be much more motivated by technology than paper-based activities. Educational research shows that our modern students are motivated by games  in which quick decisions need to  be made, especially ones in which they move up levels and get instant rewards. Research also shows that students learn, analyse and retain information more effectively  when there are visuals involved. Therefore, your son is likely to find computer activities more stimulating and interesting than worksheets, and hence is also likely to be learning more.
With this type of activity, it is still possible to monitor what your son is doing and teachers do usually try to link homework to  concepts being learned in the classroom. You can check the maths websites out for yourself and even have a go at the tasks set, which will give you a good idea of your son's level of competence.  Talk to  him about what he has learned and remember that positive praise is a great incentive. 
You can also play a valuable part in your son's maths education outside school by helping him to recognise maths in daily life.  For example, when you are out and about, estimate the length of journeys, look at timetables and encourage him to use money and check change.  At home, you can measure ingredients in a recipe, look at different types of graphs in the newspaper, play board games (especially ones that help lateral and strategic thinking), look for shapes and angles in the environment, or cut a pizza into fractions. You will think of many more ideas together. Doing this will help your son realise the relevance of maths to his own life and will reinforce concepts taught in the classroom.
Teaching  maths has changed over the years. Children no longer plough through textbooks as their parents did when they were at school. The focus in classrooms is less on simply manipulating numbers and more on problem solving and applying effective mental arithmetic strategies. The move away from the traditional type of worksheet is more challenging for children as they are not being spoon-fed but expected to think at a deeper level and make decisions. They are encouraged to 'have a go', estimate and experiment.  The aim is to develop problem solvers who have high-level thinking skills, which are crucial to children becoming successful in  their future lives.
This does not mean, however, that all traditional teaching  methods are redundant. In fact, the opposite is true -  teachers today take a more flexible  approach, which allows for different learning styles and  supports and challenges children of different abilities at their own level.  Nevertheless, there is still room for a certain amount of repetitive practice when necessary and rote learning in areas such as  times tables.
Maths can be an emotive subject among parents, especially those who lacked confidence in the subject themselves. It can be difficult for some parents to accept that teaching and learning  styles have changed. Sometimes schools offer curriculum evenings to inform parents about current methodology. Do discuss any further questions you may have with your child's teacher or the  maths co-ordinator at his school.
I fully understand  that you want to support your son in his studies. Remember that homework is simply an extension of the wide range of  maths activities that he will be doing in the classroom and, if planned properly, should be more than a useful time-filler. It is very positive that your son is completing his  maths homework independently and organising his own time in preparation for secondary school and beyond. 
Julie McGuire
My eldest son will soon be starting secondary school and we are worried that he is still too childish to cope with the new demands of more serious academic work. Our friends tell us that we should discourage  him from wanting to play so much - that he needs to be more grown up, ready for the adult world. We feel torn between agreeing with them and allowing him to play when he wants to - which is often.
It is hard for us as parents to strike the right balance for our children: most of us would want them steadily to take more responsibility  (to tidy up after themselves; not  lose their belongings), yet we feel  sad when we see their childhood innocence begin to fade.  
If you feel pressured by your friends, that is a concern; there is no universal handbook for ideal parenting and you can be sure that whatever one parent believes to be an essential, unquestionably correct way to bring up a child, another will disagree with just as strongly.  
It has recently become clear just how complex and controversial this subject is with the publication of Amy Chua's Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. The book's opening is deliberately provocative,  listing all the expectations of the stereotypical, traditional Chinese mother. Reading other people's views may well help you to decide on your approach.  But peer pressure should not make you anxious - you are the ones who know your son and can best judge what is  right for him. The dictionary definition of 'play' is 'an activity engaged in for recreation and enjoyment'. Research can be found to prove  almost anything is bad, or good for children, but here are a few thoughts:  If your son's idea of play is to run around a lot, he is getting vital exercise that will make him fit and healthy - including his brain.  If he plays with friends or siblings, he is learning socialising skills valuable for the rest of his life.  If he acts out situations (through role play), he is making sense of all sorts of complex issues in  life. At  secondary school, your son - like many children - may find it hard to adjust to new demands: a larger community where he might feel insignificant or 'lost', a far wider range of different teachers to adapt to and a steadily growing, greater academic workload.  
The new school should  designate staff whose roles cover the general welfare and wider academic success of students. If you have concerns,   contact those staff early on. They  will welcome your involvement. 
Adam Conway 
Julie McGuire and Adam Conway teach  at international schools



Figuring out how to make the most of maths as homework moves online