This lesson is ideal for doing with Y11 students once they have done their GCSE exam. Or it can be used in a maths lesson when you have access to computers, or as an end of term lesson. It begins by projecting up various finance words (01) and asking students to match these to definitions. There are then some basic mortgage questions (02), for example what would a 15% deposit be on a house of this value. The main part of the lesson is on take home pay (03). Students will be given a few minutes to think about their dream job. If they have their own computers they can do this, or I have included a list of average salaries from a few years ago as a back up (04). I have created a template for students to use in order to show their calculations for each deduction. 1 tick means easier; 2 ticks mean harder. There is no set answer to this as each student will be calculating different things. The purpose of this lesson is to really understand the basic finance terminology we use in day to day life and to be able to glance through a pay slip and do some basic checks to see if it looks correct. (Computers are not essential for this lesson - they can be used for students to research average salaries for their chosen career and to read the information on NI and tax on their own. The teacher can project this up otherwise, which is what I did.)

This full lesson has been used multiple times, including in observed lessons. Students enjoyed it and received very good feedback. It was supplemented by exam questions, which I have not included. It uses a real life example of bowling scores in order to draw line graphs. Can they draw a time series line graph? (There is an exemplar drawing for them to compare theirs to.) Can they predict trends? Can they look at any line graph and analyse them? Also includes a peer assessment grid. I’ve included a word document with a few bullet points on how to use the resources.

This contains 3 resources: 1) Algebra literacy starter match up powerpoint (project); understanding equation / term / expression / formula. 2) I think of a number activity word document (print) - 3 quick questions looking at algebra notation / writing algebra. The point of this is to identify any misconceptions before moving into substitution. 3) Making your own substitution questions - 3 slides. The first to be projected; value is given in the centre with various questions around it (answers available). The other two slides are differentiated, one easier (positive value) and one harder (negative value). Students should write their own questions and answers. They can swap their questions and work on each others questions, then peer assess.

Introducing collecting like terms to very low ability students. Some schools will expect you to follow the scheme of learning with the low ability students but there are often limited resources available to cater for some topics. These activities start by simply matching random symbols together. Then there are some cards (you will need to print and cut out) with different letters. Word document explains how to use the resources.

Maths home learning; quick reference powerpoint. Originally made for a lower ability foundation group who had very aspirational targets of a C. This was printed for them (6 slides to a page) to help them cram for the exam. This does not go into the depths of each topic. It is 78 slides and key points for common topics. Would also be really useful right now when having to home study. Also used in tutor time for revision with non specialists. Can be displayed on screens when going into the exam. This is not an exhaustive revision list.

Once you have covered the data handling cycle; collecting / interpreting / representing it; this is a great activity to do, especially at the end of term. Has a focus on peer assessment. I’ve used this multiple times and it always goes down well. You will need to download a music clip in advance (please ensure it is appropriate). Mini project which lasts a lesson. Word document has some bullet points of how to use the resource.

This lesson introduces finding the median. It is very scaffolded to draw and reinforce the concept that numbers must be in ascending order. Some of the resources will need cutting out by teacher or student. Differntiated. Extends to finding lower quartile, upper quartile and interquartile range. Also includes a powerpoint on finding the median from the position number / formula. Word doc has some bullet points on how to use the resources.

Expanding and factorising single and double brackets when revising algebra. These are no frills but effective; differentiated (two levels, easier and harder) resources and used many times. The main resource has answers available to project; the starter and extension activity does not. Word document is included with further guidance on how to use the resources.

This is a good cover lesson or end of year activity. Real life, functional maths. It contains all the different maths you may encounter when booking a holiday: exchange rates; temperature charts; deposits and percentage discounts etc. 2 pages of questions on a word document, designed to be printed, can do 2 to a page to save paper.

Maths questions inspired by the TV show The Great British Sewing Bee. 6 slides each taking approximately 5 minutes each. Most suitable for KS3. Functional maths. Covers money questions including simple percentage discount; main focus is metric conversions for length; area; exchange rates (this one is more challenging). In a powerpoint with introduction and answers. I’ve also included a print friendly version - use the print option of handout 6 to a page.

Interpret time series line graphs and draw them from tables of data. I’ve used this lesson with various year groups and various ability levels through KS3 and KS4. It begins by looking at a real life tourism line graph (visitors to and from the UK over time; from Gov) and asks students to analyse it. Scaffolded materials are provided, either an instructions hand out with points to consider or a table to insert specific answers. Moving on to comparing and contrasting two different line graphs. There is a blank Venn diagram if you want to use this for recording the answers, or it could be done verbally or on mini-whiteboards. Photographs of scores from ten pin bowling are included and students draw line graphs from the data. I have also included an exemplar line graph for students to self-assess against. There is also some data on numbers of cars on a street over time (this is not verified) for students to pull both skills together, drawing a line graph then analysing it.

This powerpoint looks at unit cost and best buy problems. Please check that the video link works in the 3rd slide before using!

This is a very quick powerpoint, just 4 slides with a definition of random; systematic and stratified sampling. It does not have specific examples for each, it is to introduce a group to the concept that there are different ways to choose a sample.

Very simple but effective starter on reciprocals, leading to perpendicular lines. Table is designed to be printed. First column gives a number, second column asks them to find the reciprocal, next the negative reciprocal and finally the product of the previous two. This can then lead on to perpendicular lines in linear / straight line graphs.

At the start of the year I usually spend one maths lesson doing all the admin: handing out books; setting expectations and discussing classroom routines; introducing myself and easing the pupils in. Here are a couple of different options, designed to be printed A5 and stuck into front page of exercise book. One is Q&A style; one has sentence starters. Also gives you an idea of literacy levels of the students and is a way to get to know them.

The temptation is to give students the rules and get them to do a few questions. This skips a stage though as they don’t understand why the rule exists. It only takes 5 minutes to explain how you are manipulating the expression and why the rule is a shortcut. This powerpoint is basic, it gives the tables and structure to explaining the topic but does not give questions - this was done purposefully so I could write these on the board from the top of my head depending on how the ability levels of the kids and how quickly they got it (e.g. could move to three expressions).

This is a starter activity for using formula in real life. Cross curricular with cooking / catering - looks at cooking time for roast beef. Simple starter activity to lead into the topic. Also includes learning objective / learning question for this topic - these can be downloaded in bulk on a separate posting.

Students should not just be taught how to calculate the mean; they should understand it inside out and backwards. They should know which average is better in different circumstances. Here are a couple of questions to be used as an extension or plenary.

12 slide powerpoint various topics for a class test, within algebra and number. Revision for KS3 KS4 levels.

When covering sequences at KS3 and KS4 it is important that students can use appropriate terminology and key words. This short activity can be used to write up the definitions or give examples for each. I originally did this on flipchart but no longer have the software to ensure it still works. I’ve uploaded it but also uploaded it as a PDF version as well as back up. Answers purposefully not included as this would be done via discussion.

This powerpoint talks you through how to make a sliding scale to be decorated as a probability scale. You will need a piece of card; 30cm ruler and pair of scissors per student. They can then decorate it with the appropriate FDP or probability language; depending on ability level. I have included the flipchart file also; but I think this was incomplete. I do not have the software at present!