15 years + Mechanics Topic in Maths or Physics. Takes the basic definition of acceleration and applies it numerically, then turns it into algebra to obtain s = ut + 1/2 at^2 A clear guide sheet for introducing this equation on the board; for distributing to students prior to a lesson, or as part of a peer-to-peer instruction activity. Nice and clear, points out connection to y = mx + c straight line equation format (v = u + at as v = at + u ), explains areas cleanly.

The old ‘Which colour hat am I wearing?’ logic puzzle, updated with ducks and a clear, step-by-step solution. Probably a good challenge for top set Maths groups/ A-level Needs thinking through; I’ve used it displayed on the electronic whiteboard about 10 or more minutes before the end of a lesson, to give time for explanation, discussion and trial, then given the puzzle sheet as an A5 printout for them to take home and work through in their head. Prizes (or at least positive recognition) for correct deductions , in the next lesson. It’s simpler to take verbal contributions to make a group consensus rather than asking for written proofs from individuals. Then require at least one student to take it through step by step on the board! Alternatively, use as an A4 poster on display, with a solution provided nearby or overleaf. It’s a nice touch that the solver can get it right only after a while, when they realise that Alice in the problem can get it right only after a while… This version has a word document with two copies of the solution on it. Page 2 is suitable for printing out for issue or display: page one has a box overlay which you can shrink or move down to reveal one step of the solution at a time on the electronic whiteboard. The separators are ~ characters.

Ages up to ~12 years. Good for getting students to think through their subject vocabulary. Finding the highest (or lowest) scoring words in a particular category. The word values are based on letter scores: A is 1, B is 2, C is 3, etc. Students have a given time to find the best word they can given the category/conditions you set. (e.g. Scientific words, French words related to food, Colours, adjectives/adverbs, ICT vocabulary, Maths words up to 5 letters long…) They have to write out each word they try, with the letter scores beside, and then add up the scores to give a total for that word. And then see if they can do better! Works in pairs as well, though each of the pair usually ends up checking separate words that they might have agreed upon as worth trying. The spreadsheet makes it easy to show examples on the board, and to automatically calculate the word values as you type them in. Works a breeze, a nice activity that you can fits in as a starter, an end, or a bit of light relief. You can specify a different category/ word length each time you do it with a group. There are options to reward answers that aren’t the highest scores, to reinforce participation by less confident students. (The more confident are seldom satisfied with their highest word so far, and will keep going!) This paid version goes up to 20 letters for each word, and has a score sheet page for bonus marks as well.

The old ‘Which colour hat am I wearing?’ logic puzzle, updated with ducks. Probably a good challenge for top set Maths groups/ A-level Needs thinking through; I’ve used it displayed on the electronic whiteboard about 10 or more minutes before the end of a lesson, to give time for explanation, discussion and trial, then given the puzzle sheet as an A5 printout for them to take home and work through in their head. Prizes (or at least positive recognition) for correct deductions , in the next lesson. It’s simpler to take verbal contributions to make a group consensus rather than asking for written proofs from individuals. Then require at least one student to take it through step by step on the board! Alternatively, use as an A4 poster on display, with a solution provided nearby or overleaf. It’s a nice touch that the solver can get it right only after a while, when they realise that Alice in the problem can get it right only after a while…

Ages up to ~12 years. Good for getting students to think through their subject vocabulary. Finding the highest (or lowest) scoring words in a particular category. The word values are based on letter scores: A is 1, B is 2, C is 3, etc. Students have a given time to find the best word they can given the category/conditions you set. (e.g. Scientific words, French words related to food, Colours, adjectives/adverbs, ICT vocabulary, Maths words up to 5 letters long…) They have to write out each word they try, with the letter scores beside, and then add up the scores to give a total for that word. And then see if they can do better! Works in pairs as well, though each of the pair usually ends up checking separate words that they might have agreed upon as worth trying. The spreadsheet makes it easy to show examples on the board, and to automatically calculate the word values as you type them in. Works a breeze, a nice activity that you can fits in as a starter, an end, or a bit of light relief. You can specify a different category/ word length each time you do it with a group. There are options to reward answers that aren’t the highest scores, to reinforce participation by less confident students. (The more confident are seldom satisfied with their highest word so far, and will keep going!) This free version can cope with high-scoring 5-letter words at most, and low-scoring 4-letter words at most. (The paid version goes up to 20 letters for each, and has a bonus score sheet version as well.)