Resources of the week

Three subject teachers recommend a high-quality resource, available on the TES website, that they have tried and tested in their own classrooms
23rd January 2015, 12:00am
Article gift icon

Share

Resources of the week

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/resources-week-11

Maths

Pret: better than averages

What is it? Pret stands for practise, recall, extend and think. This homework resource by Jo Morgan asks students to use Pret to understand the basics of mean, median, mode and range, before tasking them with creating their own memory aide. It isn’t easy, but it ensures that all the fundamental skills are in place while still offering variety and challenge.

How can it be used? My Year 8 class enjoyed this task hugely, which is unusual for maths homework. I found it to be really good for differentiation; more able students had the opportunity to push themselves and to demonstrate their creativity. Once the class are more used to the Pret method, I’m going to get them to create their own Pret activity for our next topic.

Craig Barton is an advanced skills teacher at Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton and a TES secondary maths adviser. Find him on Twitter at @TESMaths

English

How to pass functional skills English

What is it? Relatively few resources are designed for functional skills lessons, but that’s not the only reason why this resource is a gem. This well-produced guide, shared by axis-education, outlines the features of the exam and provides activities that stick very closely to the test paper itself. Each resource sheet comes with exam-format questions and space for answering. They are perfect for photocopying.

How can it be used? Teachers are often pushed for time and we find ourselves attempting to shoehorn additional functional skills material in as we are covering all the GCSE content. So a resource that delivers quality mock exam questions is priceless. There is enough here to help build your students’ confidence and allow you to do a close analysis of their answers.

Jon Sellick is an English teacher and head of sixth form at Range High School in Formby, Merseyside

Science

Big fat science quiz of the year

What is it? This week’s science resource, created by AJLaycock, is based on the format of popular television programme The Big Fat Quiz of the Year. The PowerPoint contains 23 science questions relating to 2014 events and a printable answer grid for students.

How can it be used? This resource is perfect for January. It can be used across all three key stages to test students’ understanding and awareness of recent scientific breakthroughs, while also rewarding them for all their hard work last term. I used this resource with my Year 9 pupils, who thoroughly enjoyed it. A word of warning: to avoid embarrassment, teachers should look up the answers before setting the questions.

Aimee Mckeon is head of key stage 3 science at Shirley High School in Croydon, South London

To offer suggestions, please email helen.amass@tesglobal.com

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Register Log in

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Subscribe now
Article gift icon

Share

Resources of the week

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/resources-week-11
Recent
Most read
Most shared
Ofsted inspections: everything you need to know
Analysis
20 September 2024
‘Thin reform proposals’ not enough for ‘creaking’ education system
Analysis
20 September 2024
Labour’s education policy: what schools can expect
News
20 September 2024
Schools must not use Ofsted logos for this year’s judgements
News
17 September 2024
Teacher pay scales 2024-25: what will your salary look like?
Analysis
29 July 2024
How to fix the primary maths curriculum
Teaching & Learning
18 September 2024
DfE urged to review curriculum panel over Oak links
News
18 September 2024
Call for Ofsted ‘transparency’ over board minutes
News
17 September 2024
How to fix the primary maths curriculum
Teaching & Learning
18 September 2024