KS2, KS3, GCSE enrichment, logical thinking, prime numbers. Inspired by Sir Patrick Moore, this activity prompts pupils to think about what kind of message we would send to aliens and how we would send it. After considering various issues, pupils complete a 'paint by numbers&' activity to see what Sir Patrick Moore recommends. A second, real life, extension task based on the Arecibo Message is also included. Answers and internet links included, plus a link to the message that NASA put aboard the Voyager spacecraft (the only spacecraft to leave our solar system).

To compliment the current emphasis on reading, enjoy this poster-list of some of the best mathematics reading books. Books range from KS3 to KS5 but are all enthralling and some are simply must reads for A Level Maths students. QR codes take you direct to the Amazon page where you can purchase the books.

A decent set of reverse percentage questions for pupils to check their knowledge and understanding of this topic. All questions involve sensible numbers so that students can focus on the task at hand without getting bogged down in the numberwork, this also means that able students can complete this with or without a calculator. Includes answers. Tried and tested, and corrected(!), in the classroom many times. This download includes a pdf file as well as the original word file for easy editing.

This was found at a local supermarket by a pupil with very good knowledge of percentages! Show this image to the class and ask them what the mistake is. A great discussion point and lesson starter. Large and small image downloads here.

Video guide to this resource at [](Video guide to this resource at ). This file has been adapted from the original Easy Report Writer to make writing UCAS reports quick and easy. There are sections for comments including Work Ethic, Teamwork, Written, Verbal, Degree and Tail. With this file you can write up to 5 UCAS subject reports at a time. There is a premium version of this file available too which has more comments and enables you to write up to 35 reports at a time. Upgrade to the full version of this resource at https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/easy-ucas-report-writer-premium-11845636. This file will save you hours. With this Lite version of this resource you can write reports on up to 5 students at a time. We do recommend reading your subject reports through to check that they flow well and that use of name vs he/she reads well. Please aim to create your own UCAS comments rather than using the example ones here. If you find this useful please leave a positive comment. An important note… This file uses macros to do all the fancy stuff, but macros do work on Macs so you’ll need to run this file on a windows computer. It’s an Apple thing and is the same with all macro-based files. Any issues at all, please contact me at .

Kinesthetic activity for students. Print out the graphs onto A4 paper, then print the final 6 slides onto accetate and cut up. Pupils use the accetates to show the required graph transformations. Smaller print version, this one prints all the original graphs onto two A4 sides and another page on tracing paper for the graphs. Original exercise is from AQA Core 1/2 textbook, chapter 6. Principal is to make a difficult task easy to learn. This strips away any issues with drawing, tracing, copying etc and enables students to focus on achieving the learning objective.

A collection of some of the best new A level maths questions that really test and push students knowledge, understanding and ability. These are the new, unique and often multi-topic questions that teachers think are great and which students students really need to get to grips with for the new style maths A level. I make all my students complete these and then we dissect each of these in class to look for; the clues in the question that tell us what to do, the recall and knowledge that students need to bring to complete the question, and the work required to put into the question to get to the answer. Tried and tested in the classroom many times. Includes all exam paper references so you can check the markschemes too. Includes pdf and Word document files. **I’ll continue to more to this document as more questions become available so this resource includes a link to access the most recent version of this document

A set of real life questions on the topic of standard form based on images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Answers and workings included. Great for teaching problem solving skills, cross-curricular Maths and Physics.

Whilst there is, of course, no recipe for doing an 'Outstanding&' lesson, here&';s a quick checklist of items that if not done would certainly hinder your chances of being outstanding.

KS3 (with support) & KS4, application of standard (right-angle) trigonometry and transformations of curves. This task involves students making and using measurements from Hubble Space Telescope images to determine Saturn’s orbital period and then transform the sin curve using the excel file to establish when it will next appear ‘edge-on’. Lots of geometrical reasoning, problem solving and ICT. Teachers notes, internet links, images, Excel file and Powerpoint animation included.

An interactive lesson on different voting systems - 'first past the post' vs 'alternative vote'. Includes examples of where each type of system works and fails together with resources for holding a real class election (on foods and animals) to really test each system. Also includes links to websites and videos explainers, alongside comprehensive lesson notes, all to make life easier for the teacher! Successfully tested on a Yr11 class, ideal for able Yr9 or Yr10-13 groups. VotingSystems.doc is the key document with all other resources provided too.

Three sets, each of three matchup puzzles, for pupils to practice chain rule, product rule and quotient rule. Answers included together with a blank template for pupils to create their own puzzles. The fourth file is an easier set of chain rule questions.

This is the 'lite' version of the paid-for resource here. This is an Excel file generates endless sets of key mathematical numeracy questions for regular practice to develop student’s fluency in maths. A workbook for printing sets of questions and separate answers. Press F9 for a new set of questions. The paid for version of this resource also includes the following... 1. An upgraded version of the Maths Mental Tests Excel file which includes one sheet to use for printing worksheets, another sheet of the same questions and answers for projecting / displaying on screen. 2. BONUS RESOURCE – A link to a fully interactive and mobile-friendly website of all of the Key Stage 3 Mental Maths audio questions. 3. BONUS RESOURCE – 40 Arithmetic Operations Another file for generating quick sets of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or mixed questions for pupils to practice quick arithmetic skills. Designed to print worksheets of 40 questions for students to complete, perhaps against the clock. Purchase upgraded files here.