Whole-school mathematics resources

Finding the nth term of linear and quadratic sequences. I designed this as homework for a higher ability year 10 group. Each section is given a point value and students must complete at least 30 points worth of questions so they can choose to do lots of easier questions or just a few difficult questions. Answers included.

This project has students using real-world math skills to learn to perform the calculations that are done in Information Technology jobs. They will use formulas (included) to learn how to determine percentages and use fractions, and other basic math skills used in this industry. Are your students always asking "When will be ever USE this??" This short activity shows students a real world use for the math skills they learn every day. This lesson was created for 7th and 8th grade, but could also be used successfully in upper elementary grades. Files included: • Teacher & Student Resources • How Information Technology Professionals Use Math Activity/Handout • How Information Technology Professionals Use Math Activity Answer Key • Math Formula “Cheat Sheet”

A resource pack that helps pupils to get to grips with substituting numbers into a formula. Starter: Exam Practice- help pupils to recap over the basic questions in the exam that they SHOULD NOT get wrong. Examples: Explains to pupils how to substitute numbers into a formula- use of colours to show where each number came from. Main task: Worksheet to work on the knowledge they just gained and to put what they had learnt into practice. (Answers on the PPT) Extension: Building on what they have learnt into exam questions. (Answers included in PDF format) Plenary: To reflect upon what they have been able to do, what they need to improve and their TOP TIP for answering these style questions. (Plenary on the main worksheet)

Catchphrase / Say What You See game covering multiplication, division, power and zero laws of indices. Two levels of difficulty (one without coefficients the other with coefficients). There are two phrases for each set of questions. I normally get students to number their pages 1-16 and give them a few minutes to answer as many questions as they can from the screen. I then use lolly sticks to randomly select a student who must give me an answer to one of the questions. If they get it right they reveal the square and can guess the phrase. I only let the student who has just given me an answer guess the phrase- reduces all the calling out and keeps them from guessing the phrase too quickly. I tend to have a small prize for the student that guesses the phrase. I also keep all the lolly sticks of the students who gave correct answers and pick a second winner. If the phrase is guessed really quickly then I continue to select students to give answers to have a chance at that second prize.

Although this is covering section 3 of the City and Guilds functional skills exam, the students will also need to calculate wages from a range of values: hourly, weekly as well as annual in order to calculate a monthly wage bill. In addition they are asked to analyse a table to create a brief report, I suggest to develop some answers to the bullet points but alternatives would be possible. Finally they would need to create a suitable chart using graph paper - not supplied with this document.

Change the Subject / Rearrange Formula card sort matching equations with the corresponding function machine. I often introduce this method as an alternative to balancing, particularly for KS3 and lower ability KS4 students. I find this helps students understand what order the operations have been done & helps build and understanding of how to "undo" the equations to make x the subject. Page 1- easier equations. Page 2- harder equations. Further extension- make x the subject of each equation). Page 3- answers (green is the answers to the matching task, red the answers to the extension). Note: I normally get the students to work in pairs and tell them to only cut on the dotted lines. Each student glues one block of questions into their book. I find this makes it a little easier to mark answers.

Scaffolded worksheet on changing the subject of equations/ rearranging formula using the function machine method. I like to teach this method as an alternative to the standard balancing, particularly for lower ability students. Answers included.

A useful activity to cover section 2 the space area of the City and Guilds functional skills exam. Students have to calculate the no of bricks required for a wall, calculate the cement in a lorry and compare it against what is needed and finally interpret a scale drawing. Aimed at a confident level 2 learners but level 1 could do it with support.

A set of 12 coordinate grids, some correct and others with common errors- uneven spacing, using different scales on different sides of the same axis, not drawing the axis on a line, etc. I often use this as a starter with older students before starting a unit on graphing to remind them of all the things they can and cannot to do. Answers included.

Important: "Primary Pupil Objective Tracker": This version of the tracker uses objectives from the National Curriculum and is a more detailed version than my previous tracker, "Primary Pupil Progress Tracking Tool and Data Analysis" This is a class data tracking tool, using National Curriculum Objectives, to assist teachers input, store, track and analyse their class data, including a vulnerable groups comparison and combined subject attainment diagram. This tool is written within MS Excel, so there is no need to purchase/ learn new software. Main Features: - Input up to 40 pupils and specify gender, pupil premium, and 3 customisable groupings (e.g. SEND, EAL, LAC) - Input 'Not met', 'Mostly Achieved', 'Achieved', or 'Mastery' for each 'key' objective in the National Curriculum for years 1 - 6 every half term - OR manually Input "Emerging, Expected, Exceeding" for reading, writing and maths starting with the previous year's end results, and continuing half termly (e.g. Autumn 1, Autumn 2, Spring 1, etc) - Print off class data posters for each half term showing full breakdown of data within vulnerable groups as to how many pupils are on track to make expected or above attainment and indication of typical/ accelerated progress. - Print off whole year data sheet giving overview of all data, colour coded to highlight weaker/ stronger areas (includes gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils). - Select individual pupils to view progress charts in reading, writing and maths compared to class average and national average; ideal for parent's evenings/ reports. - View 'windscreen' style charts in reading, writing and maths, showing at a glance children's progress throughout each term. - View a 'combined' subject Venn Diagram, showing which children are on track to meet expected attainment in all three subjects, or two, or one, or none. This tool will eliminate human error if you have previously been asked to gather data or calculate these percentages by hand and also improve consistency between classes and year groups. It also provides an excellent visual representation of children's learning across time. This is designed for individual teacher use, however please do get in touch if you are interested in whole school training.

Revision of English Mathematics Key Stage 3 and/or Key Stage 4 basics. Giant floor puzzle. Print to A3 paper and then cut out the triangles. Laminate if you wish to reuse. Testing suggests optimum size for groups is 8-10 pupils. Alternately, give a couple of pieces to each pupil at the start; then as pieces placed and pupils sit in circle to watch the "core team" fit the pairs together, run substitutions in/out of the choir team from the chairs. Alternately, insist each pupil holds a single puzzle piece and finds every match for his/her piece and then stands up holding their piece in the air. This requires an overhead fish-eye/sports camera looking down on your hall/room - and a bigger than A3 print.

Used with my current year 6, Children generated question ideas for survey, collected data and then created a chart.