Home Archived Resources of the week Back Resources of the week Each week, three subject teachers recommend a high-quality resource that they have tried and tested in their own classrooms 12th September 2014, 1:00am Tes Editorial Share Resources of the week https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/resources-week-26 Copy Link MathsCalculator storyWhat is it? This resource, uploaded by frickard, is based around an engaging story. Students must correctly type a series of tricky calculations into their calculators in order to make sense of what is going on. The lesson is an opportunity for pupils to practise fundamental skills that can otherwise be rather dull to teach and reinforce, such as being able to enter fractions and powers correctly.How can it be used? When students don’t know how to use their calculators properly, the results can be disastrous. There are always children who forget their calculators in lessons, then turn up to an exam proudly displaying a shiny new one that they have no idea how to use. This resource will help to train students well before they have to sit exams. My Year 7 class adored this activity, which even led to an interesting discussion about what the funny ”!” symbol did.Craig Barton is an advanced skills teacher at Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton and a TES secondary maths adviser. Find him on Twitter at @TESMathsEnglishUnseen poetry: comparisonsWhat is it? Although jamestickle86‘s resource on the tricky topic of comparing unseen poetry was made with the WJEC exam board’s English literature GCSE in mind, it works well for teaching practical criticism more generally. Using his knowledge of past papers, jamestickle86 provides copies of the relevant poems, alongside suggested areas of focus and comparison tables that cover all the exam criteria.How can it be used? I printed the sheets on A3 paper and found that although the comparison tables covered all the necessities, the spaces dedicated to differences and similarities still gave pupils room to expand on their initial ideas. I envisage using this resource in tandem with a solo taxonomy “thinking square”, so that students can display a cohesive thought process. When blown up to A3 - or larger if you’re feeling adventurous - the comparison table would make a very handy visual for a classroom wall.Jon Sellick is an English teacher and head of sixth form at Range High School in Formby, MerseysideScienceThree types of microbeWhat is it? This resource, uploaded by pand, is aimed at students studying microbes and disease. It consists of three PowerPoint presentations, complete with eye-catching images, labelled diagrams and interesting facts about different types of microbe. Did you know that the largest known living organism on Earth is a 3.5 mile-wide fungus?How can it be used? The slides can be printed in colour and stuck around the classroom. Students move around the room in small groups, reading the relevant information and filling in the summary sheet. My Year 8 class enjoyed working together and the more able children used the extension sheets to further their understanding.Aimee Mckeon is a science teacher at St Andrew’s CE High School in Croydon, South LondonTo 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 Read more Weekly round-up: Ofsted grades and teacher pay fears Tes Editorial • 25th April 2024 Weekly round-up: Capita loses Sats and GCSE fears Tes Editorial • 18th April 2024 Reception Baseline Assessment: what you need to know Gráinne Hallahan • 3rd April 2024 Weekly round-up: Teacher pay drop and school moves Tes Editorial • 28th March 2024 Recent Most read Most shared 5 tips for your teacher CV and cover letter Leadership 26 April 2024 Keeping Children Safe in Education: how things may change Analysis 26 April 2024 Schools with RAAC can defer Ofsted for rest of academic year News 26 April 2024 Teacher levelling-up payments: all you need to know News 25 April 2024 Why every school should (not) use setting Teaching & Learning 24 April 2024 Keegan: I’ll look at how we can fund teacher pay rise News 24 April 2024 One-word Ofsted judgements work for no one but the DfE Analysis 25 April 2024 How to ensure children are emotionally ready for school Teaching & Learning 25 April 2024 Heads: DfE failure to scrap Ofsted grades ‘deeply disappointing’ News 25 April 2024
