Showing posts with label Problem Solving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Problem Solving. Show all posts

Favourite Problems

On Tuesday 23rd June I'm hosting a #mathscpdchat entitled "Problem solving: what are 'good' problems? Where tin dismiss y'all detect them?".

What's a Problem?
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 problem, inward the mathematical sense, tin dismiss hold upward defined equally "an research starting from given weather condition to investigate or demonstrate a fact, result, or law". The give-and-take originated inward the belatedly 14th century,'a hard inquiry proposed for solution', from Old French problème, in addition to straight from Latin problema, from Greek problema 'a task, that which is proposed, a question' (source: etymonline).
A work from solvemymaths.com

I similar this quote from Jennifer Piggot, "A work is something that y'all likely volition non straightaway run into how to tackle or which i time started volition challenge your thinking. This agency that at some betoken y'all are probable to acquire stuck in addition to this is OK. In fact it is of import that y'all acquire stuck thus that nosotros tin dismiss verbalize almost possible ways of getting unstuck" (source: nrich).

My Favourite Problems
During side yesteryear side week's Twitter chat I'd similar to run into examples of your favourite problems. These mightiness hold upward interesting questions that y'all operate when pedagogy specific topics - for instance do y'all cause got a bully inquiry on criterion form? Straight describe of piece of work graphs? Sequences? Remember that we're focussing on problems equally opposed to resources, activities or worksheets.

Here's i of my favourite problems:
Source: Chris Smith's Newsletter, Issue 51
This is the variety of work that could cause got minutes or hours to solve. It's sure enough suitable for brilliant GCSE in addition to Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 degree students to cause got a acquire at. At commencement await it's i of those 'where on populace do I start?' questions. Draw inward a few lines in addition to a 'Eureka!' instant may come. We terminate upward amongst a fairly straightforward work involving Pythagoras in addition to a quadratic equation (I state straightforward, simply I'm assuming that the problem-solver knows Pythagoras' Theorem in addition to knows how to solve quadratic equations... Prerequisite noesis is a characteristic of many geometrical problems).

Eventually I aim to clit together a laid upward of proficient problems for each theme on the curriculum - I've made a start amongst this Pythagoras Problem Set.
Problems don't cause got to hold upward highly complex. Any inquiry that makes students halt in addition to retrieve is valuable. For instance this calendar week I was looking for a starter on coordinates for my Year seven class. I could cause got gone for a criterion plotting activeness - I believe that ongoing procedural exercise is really of import - simply instead I've gone for the inquiry below:
From Squares in addition to Coordinates (Don Steward)
It's an accessible work (the shape is a square) simply I retrieve my students volition detect it challenging. In fact I'm worried that I'll hold upward met amongst a chorus of "can't do it, Miss" in addition to and then I'll lose their attention. I retrieve this is a mutual fearfulness of maths teachers - nosotros desire to laissez passer on our students problems that volition instruct them to hold upward independent in addition to resilient mathematicians, simply nosotros worry that they'll lose focus if they can't piece of work out how to acquire started. This is something nosotros tin dismiss verbalize over inward the Twitter chat on Tuesday.

Finally, here's a work that I've used a seat out of times when pedagogy surds - I beloved this one:
I actually await forwards to seeing your favourite problems inward #mathscpdchat at 7pm on Tuesday - run into y'all there.


Problem Solving Resources


 Problem Solving Links

Further Reading





Labels: , , ,

Mei Conference 2015

Last calendar week was an incredibly busy calendar week for me. On overstep of a number of household unit of measurement events together with personal commitments, I did the following:
  • Attended #mathsconf4 inwards London together with helped run the TweetUp
  • Hosted #mathsTLP on Lord's Day nighttime together with #mathscpdchat (on behalf of the NCETM) on Tuesday night
  • Had my commencement SLT lesson observation at my novel school
  • Did my commencement always TeachMeet presentation at #TMEpsom
  • Wrote 3 weblog posts together with processed a dozen novel Pret Homeworks
  • Travelled to Bath to attend together with acquaint at the MEI Conference.
It was a bang-up calendar week but I'm thus pleased it's over! I've already written nigh #mathsconf4, the #mathscpdchat nigh Problem Solving together with #TMEpsom nigh Pret Homeworks, thus this is my terminal postal service nigh the events of my busy calendar week - this postal service is nigh my sense of the MEI Conference.

Maths CPD
subject specific CPD. Although I produce pick upward closed to ideas from generic T&L events, my instruction benefits the most from conversations nigh maths - both the pedagogy together with the subject. Unfortunately, aside from on Twitter, opportunities for such conversations are few together with far between. My previous school's budget for external courses was null (I'm non exaggerating! No external CPD allowed at all). So at the MEI Conference it was refreshing to come across that closed to schools produce nonetheless let their teachers to attend conferences. I speedily discovered that the chance to larn nigh maths together with educate equally a instructor was immense.

Because I was presenting on the Sat I got to attend that solar daytime for free, together with I was staggered past times both how much I learnt together with past times how much I enjoyed learning. The selection of sessions was huge - over the 3 days at that topographic point were 12 sessions together with inwards each session delegates could direct from 8 options. Many, but non all, sessions were focussed on Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bird instruction and/or the purpose of technology.

Ideas for Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Level
The commencement session I attended was "The aspirational degree due east student" past times David Philip together with Claire Phillips. The session was nigh how to back upward AS maths students who convey an due east equally their baseline/target grade. We started past times discussing the reasons that thus many students neglect AS bird maths together with thus institute out what David together with Claire convey done at their schoolhouse to improve results. I've persuasion nigh this number earlier (see my post Bridging the Gap to Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 level) thus it was bang-up to remove heed what they've been doing, including:
  • They run an algebra bootcamp inwards the 3 days earlier term starts for degree B GCSE students.
  • They number students amongst a self-assessment workbook containing the MEI practice for each chapter (and links to solutions).
  • They purpose a flipped learning approach for the basics (ie students spotter videos at abode inwards advance of closed to lessons). Feedback from students has been good.
  • They convey a department Twitter account (@mathsnewvic) which is the alone means they communicate sure enough pieces of vital data (eg when the side past times side bear witness is).
  • They hit students information nigh what questions volition live inwards assessments inwards advance (eg 'the side past times side bear witness volition consist questions from 2011 past times papers') - students thus produce all those questions to gear upward for the assessment, which is amend than doing nada at all.
  • They convey whiteboard pigment on the walls. I wrote nigh Vertical Whiteboards in Gems 7 and in ane lawsuit again I've been convinced of their effectiveness. There are lots of alternatives (eg magic whiteboards or writing on windows) if yous can't purpose whiteboard paint. David together with Claire said that oftentimes their students become far inwards lessons together with start solving problems on the walls direct away - sometimes they don't fifty-fifty seat their bags down! If they acquire stuck they are much to a greater extent than probable to inquire closed to other pupil for assist than if they were sitting down. Another delegate said that this approach had transformed her teaching.
There's likewise a few things that David together with Claire conception to implement side past times side year. They intend to brand assessment results (broken downwards past times question) world thus students know who the goodness is inwards each topic, together with they tin thus become to their peers for help. They are likewise going to brand purpose of the MathsWatch App which is gratuitous for students when the schoolhouse subscribes to MathsWatch (the Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bird video collection is growing).
Problem Solving
I likewise attended a session on Problem Solving at Key Stage 3 together with four amongst Phil Chaffé. During this session I had fun trying out a hit of maths problems.
My favourite problem, which I recollect would live specially suitable for Year 8 or 9, was 'Zag Area 1', which is shown below together with available to download (with solution) from Integral (login required).

The session notes likewise featured these occupation organization bill of fare problems from the FMSP - these volition live available online from September.
All the problems featured inwards this session were drawn from Integral, the FMSP together with Nrich. If you're looking for occupation solving resources thus produce likewise cheque out my recent postal service Favourite Problems.

Mathematical Methods
National Mathematics Teacher Conference inwards March. It was nigh alternative mathematical approaches (eg all the unlike methods nosotros tin purpose to abide by the highest mutual component of 2 numbers). If yous await my 'Methods' page then you'll come across the posts I wrote after the lastly conference explaining the content of my workshop.

This fourth dimension I added an extra subdivision to my presentation - I spoke nigh how to factorise harder quadratics. I demonstrated 3 methods. The commencement was the 'guess together with test' method (commonly used past times anyone over the historic menses of 20), the minute was the 'grouping' method (used past times many Great Britain teachers) together with the 3rd was the 'slide together with divide' method (sometimes used inwards the US, but considered a 'trick' past times many). We talked nigh advantages, disadvantages together with alternatives. If you're interested inwards finding out to a greater extent than thus come across my postal service Factorising Harder Quadratics, which I've only updated. An interesting alternative approach that many delegates had non seen earlier was 'the monic method', which is demonstrated inwards these 2 examples:
I promise that delegates institute my session useful. I did acquire closed to dainty encouraging feedback later on thus I recollect it went well.

Summary
The plenary 'Bouncing Bombs together with Boomerangs' past times Dr Hugh Hunt, Senior Lecturer inwards the Department of Engineering at Cambridge University, was entertaining together with fascinating. Overall my whole solar daytime at the MEI Conference was fantastic together with I regret non beingness able to attend to a greater extent than sessions.

So at that topographic point ends my busy week. I've fallen means behind amongst my to-do listing thus forthwith it's fourth dimension to acquire dorsum on track. First up, I'll proceed to operate on my page of resources for the new GCSE specification.

Thanks to MEI for organising such a high character conference - I actually promise I'm able to attend in ane lawsuit again side past times side year.




Labels: , , , , , ,

5 Maths Gems #37

Hello too welcome to my 37th gems post. This is where I portion about of the best maths teaching ideas I've seen on Twitter. If you lot bask reading these posts therefore you lot mightiness similar to explore my novel hashtag #mathsgems to reckon highlights from previous posts.

Last calendar week I attended #pieandmaths - this was an lawsuit organised yesteryear La Salle Education inwards which a grouping of maths teachers got together to verbalize over issues inwards maths education. It was a non bad solar daytime too I've included a brusk write-up at the terminate of this post.

I stimulate got a surplus of gems this calendar week therefore here's the kickoff five, amongst 5 to a greater extent than to follow afterwards this week.

1. Brilliant Indices Question
I kickoff wrote close Gems 21. I 'like' Brilliant's Facebook page which way I acquire regular maths problems inwards my Facebook feed. Since I joined Twitter I haven't used Facebook much, simply I've been on in that place quite a fleck this calendar week working on my novel Facebook page. Luckily that way that I spotted this awesome query from Brilliant:
My Year 12s volition live on treated to this inwards September! 

2. 1001 Math Problems
Thanks to Denise Gaskins (@letsplaymath) for sharing the website 1001 Math Problems. This American website was created equally a rootage of problem-solving activities for simple too middle schoolhouse children. The problems are accessible too engaging. Solutions are included.

Here's a lovely example, taken from the pick of puzzles that explore factors/divisibility:
The problems are mainly suitable for Key Stage ii too 3. I honey 'The Spilled Juice Problem'.

3. Simulations
Last August I wrote a postal service Animations too Simulations, too since therefore I've occasionally featured animations inwards my gems posts, similar this lovely demonstration of the surface area of a circle from Gems 12.
One of my favourite simulation websites is PhET Interactive Simulations which I'm told is peculiarly useful for teaching Mechanics at Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 level. Some of the simulations on PhET are suitable for Key Stage three too 4, such equally this estimation activity. Do stimulate got a play amongst this activity, it's great.
Thanks to a tweet from @ChristinaGawlik I've also discovered the late revamped website www.explorelearning.com. This is the 'world's largest library of math too scientific discipline simulations'. These simulations (called Gizmos) are actually good. Unfortunately unless you lot pay a subscription, you lot tin dismiss entirely access each Gizmo for 5 minutes. Worth a expression though.

4. VideoScribe
Chris Smith (@aap03102) shared an impressive promotional video for his newsletters. He said it entirely took him fifteen minutes to brand this video too I didn't believe him! I ready a trial of VideoScribe and flora out he was correct - it's real quick to brand a video using this software. Here's my endeavor - a fun (but pointless!) promo video for resourceaholic.com:



I was wondering if in that place were whatever opportunities to work this software inwards the classroom when I coincidentally stumbled across this Classroom Expectations video from Cathy Yenca (@mathycathy):



Since starting at a novel schoolhouse too having to create 'proper' behavior administration for the kickoff time, I've realised the importance of setting expectations for students. I recollect this approach mightiness brand those expectations to a greater extent than memorable (and fifty-fifty if it doesn't, it's fun to brand the video!). Cathy says, "I innovation to demo this brief video I created using a free 7-day trial of VideoScribe too give students a difficult re-create of classroom expectations to fill upward inwards a few blanks equally they watch. I may demo this several times during the kickoff few weeks of school, postal service it on my website, too generate a QR code to link to it when individual needs a reminder".

I spotted Cathy's video inwards her first-class postal service Primary Maths page which links to blogs too resources. I updated my tangents too areas based on the novel GCSE specification.

Pie too Maths
La Salle Education is a fellowship dedicated to improving mathematics education. I honey La Salle's conferences too volition live on presenting at their adjacent conference inwards Sheffield inwards September. Last calendar week La Salle hosted an lawsuit called Pie too Maths which was attended yesteryear about of my Twitter buddies, therefore it was a skillful run a jeopardy to grab upward amongst people too verbalize close maths.

The lawsuit started amongst a demonstration of Complete Mathematics. This is a actually impressive organization too if you've non seen it earlier therefore it's worth exploring - La Salle tin dismiss come upward to your schoolhouse to demonstrate it. I actually back upward the underlying principles of Complete Mathematics - it has the potential to live on the ultimate collaboration tool for maths teachers. The content too functionality stimulate got developed good since I kickoff saw it concluding summer. The interface is actually user-friendly, allowing teachers to efficiently innovation lessons amongst access to well-written objectives, pedagogical notes, resources too assessment tools. Complete Mathematics currently covers Key Stage 1 through to GCSE. New content is beingness developed for Core Maths, providing much needed construction too resources for this novel post-16 qualification.
Can you lot advert the Twitter handles?
We enjoyed a lovely tiffin too therefore went to the pub for a debate, led yesteryear Mark McCourt (@EmathsUK). We discussed a number of issues including behaviour, parenting, teaching methods, instructor grooming too research.

Afterwards nosotros had lots of fourth dimension to chat too play maths games - I ended upward tied to Bruno Reddy (@MrReddyMaths). This video shows how nosotros got out of it (well done Bruno, I had no idea!).
Thanks to La Salle too Mark McCourt for organising a actually enjoyable event. I loved catching upward amongst Twitter friends too coming together novel people - here's the listing of attendees (sorry if I've missed anyone!): @getdiagnostics, @nishadealwis, @mrdrapermaths, @naveenfrizvi, @MissBsResources, @MissBaileyMaths, @kris_boulton, @DrTrapezio, @craigos87, @EJmaths, @tessmaths, @ColinTheTrainer, @MrMattock, @dannytybrown, @RJS2212, @mrreddymaths, @mathsatschool, @MrBenWard, @xanbritt, @CubbonSue too @mathsjem.

That's it for today's post. Good luck amongst GCSE results everyone! I'll acquire out you lot amongst this cute Nonagon video shared yesteryear @solvemymaths.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

5 Maths Gems #40

Hello in addition to welcome to my 40th gems post. This is where I portion 5 maths didactics ideas I've seen on Twitter.

I've been didactics long plenty to know how busy September is, only over again the overwhelming workload has come upward equally a shock! New classes, novel tutor group, novel systems, novel policies... I'm certain it volition all calm downwardly presently (well, maybe adjacent July!). However, therefore far therefore proficient - my novel schoolhouse is awesome in addition to I'm enjoying getting stuck into didactics again.

1. Play With Your Math
Thanks to Craig Jeavons (@Craigos87) for sharing a website I'd non seen earlier -playwithyourmath.com. Maths problems are posted every fortnight - they tin hold upward downloaded equally posters in addition to worksheets. Here's a couplet of examples:

2. Estimating Percentages
In #mathsTLP on Sunday @jeff2869 shared a overnice estimation tool - Estimate the Percentage. It's a straightforward activity for the Interactive Whiteboard that volition hold upward useful for assessing agreement of percentages.
3. Ordering Numbers
I similar activities involving ordering numbers, in addition to I especially similar the selection of numbers inwards these 2 activities from Chris Stapel (@StapelMathClass).


4. Number Starters
Back inwards Gems 34 I mentioned www.mathematicshed.com. These are nifty warm-up tasks for practising arithmetic.
5. Marking Stickers
I've seen some lovely examples of mark stickers this week. Anthony Biggs (@MathsDirectory) made these for presentation in addition to examine tips:
Miss Bowkett (@MissBowkett) shared her xanthous mark stickers which include feedback on presentation, 'what went well' in addition to adjacent steps.
Update
I've enjoyed coming together all my novel classes over the final 2 weeks. I've already used loads of wonderful Don Steward activities - this makes me happy!
3.142 variations
This calendar week I used Find the Factors puzzles for the starting fourth dimension time. I used a Level iv puzzle inwards my starting fourth dimension lesson amongst Year 10 in addition to a Level 1 puzzle inwards my starting fourth dimension lesson amongst Year 7. These puzzles are nifty for practising times tables in addition to using logic. Students inwards both classes said they wanted to effort to a greater extent than challenging Find the Factors puzzles therefore I'll definitely locomote these again.
Another success this calendar week was my starting fourth dimension Memory King tournament - I had a Year xi educatee recite the starting fourth dimension 10 prime numbers inwards 2.45 seconds!

I've got 3 novel Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 grade classes in addition to am finding that they're all real tranquillity in addition to hardworking. When they're doing a exercise exercise you lot could remove heed a pivot drop. They never inquire for aid or piece of occupation together. At my previous school, 6th shape students were much chattier during lessons - although they were less focused, they did inquire each other for aid a lot, therefore it was a mixed blessing. Hannah (‏@LorHRL) made a helpful proposition on Twitter this calendar week - she said that playing music during lessons helps because therefore students don't receive got to interruption the quiet to speak. I took her advice in addition to played tranquillity classical music during 2 Year thirteen lessons - it worked well. The atmosphere inwards the room was calm in addition to relaxed - students continued to focus only were to a greater extent than willing to inquire for aid from me or their peers.

Recent Posts
Last calendar week I wrote a postal service near High Expectations. I discussed the importance of pitching lessons right only non dumbing downwardly the content. Do receive got a human face if you lot missed it.

My school's annual Open Evening is adjacent week. If you lot receive got 1 coming upward too, you lot mightiness abide by my postal service about Open Evening helpful - it has lots of ideas for the Maths Department.

I was going to write a postal service near literacy only I've been also busy to hand it my total attending this week. I decided to summarise 5 golden rules instead - regard below. I regard many resources that comprise spelling mistakes, grammatical errors (particularly missing inquiry marks in addition to errant apostrophes) or wrong terminology. Please don't locomote them! It's non fair on your students.
Coming Soon
I'm hosting #mathscpdchat at 7pm on Tuesday 15th September. The topic is 'What expectations are you lot communicating to your Year 10 students equally they start on the revised GCSE course?'. I promise you lot tin bring together in.

I also promise you're planning to come upward to #mathsconf5 in Sheffield on 26th September (it's non also piece of cake to register). Do come upward in addition to say hello. I'll hold upward around for pre-conference drinks on the Fri nighttime too. I'm rather upset (actually, brand that devastated!) that I'm missing the 1 workshop that I desperately wanted to become to - unfortunately it clashes amongst my workshop. I would real very much appreciate it if individual who attends Kris Bolton's session 'The Stories of Maths' writes a detailed postal service near literally everything he says. Or - fifty-fifty improve - could you lot cinema his workshop on your tablet? I'd hold upward hugely grateful.

I'll larn out you lot amongst these give-and-take points from my school's starting fourth dimension maths faculty coming together of the yr (sorry, I don't know the master source). What activity would you lot receive got inwards each case? Answers on a postcard please!


Labels: , , , , , , , ,

A Degree Resources #2

This is my minute post virtually my previous post I shared some of my favourite H5N1 grade resources. In this post I'm roofing the other fundamental points from my workshop:
1. The demand for resources.
2. Using problems sets.
3. Getting organised (including schemes of work).
I also hash out how to part additional resources amongst students, which I didn't direct keep fourth dimension to comprehend at the conference.

I precisely desire to clarify something earlier I start - resources are helpful, but inwards my heed at that topographic point is null to a greater extent than of import than clarity of explanation. Good H5N1 grade teachers direct keep audio champaign of written report noesis as well as know how to explicate things well. Please don't intend that my focus on resources at the conference suggests that I intend that resources accept precedence! They don't. They're prissy to direct keep though.

Is the textbook enough? 
I started my workshop past times discussing the demand for H5N1 grade resources. I oftentimes live on H5N1 grade textbook exercises for exercise inwards class, but create I demand anything else?

To respond that inquiry let's hold back at my typical lesson structure. I don't create anything revolutionary inwards my H5N1 grade pedagogy - no flipped learning, no enquiry - my mode is fairly traditional. I'm non proverb this is the best agency to learn H5N1 level, it's precisely the agency I teach.
In the construction higher upward yous tin come across that I usually start amongst a skills depository fiscal establishment gibe as well as refresher (sometimes an examination inquiry relating to what nosotros did inwards the final lesson, sometimes a curt puzzle or activity), thence I demand resources at this point. I'll thence learn something novel as well as my students volition practise that novel science (again, I'll demand resources hither - a textbook, worksheet or activity). Formative assessment of skills during this action volition assist me create upward one's heed which students demand to a greater extent than explanation. Imagine the shape splitting into ii groups at this indicate - those who've demonstrated agreement as well as are developing fluency, as well as those who demand to a greater extent than back upward (I powerfulness demand some differentiated activities here). After the lesson I demand to create some summative assessment, thence I powerfulness laid a homework which I volition accept inwards as well as mark, or I powerfulness assess students inwards a examine on a subsequently appointment - again, I demand resources for these assessment activities. Finally, I tell my students to create ongoing independent exercise as well as I demand to indicate them inwards the administration of resources for this. So yous tin come across that at that topographic point are many opportunities to live on a diversity of resources throughout the lesson. The textbook does non comprehend all these bases. Thankfully there's loads of vivid H5N1 grade resources available - read my previous post for ideas.

In my workshop I shared 3 activities from MEI as well as asked delegates to hash out whether they'd live on these, as well as how they could live on them. For illustration I oftentimes live on the get-go action below (Logs True or False past times Susan Wall) equally a quick refresher (ie a starter), but it also plant good for formative assessment (perhaps amongst mini-whiteboards) and/or basic skills practice.


The coordinate geometry resource higher upward plant good inwards a consolidation lesson - students depict their working diagram inwards the middle of A3 newspaper as well as stick each occupation (and their answers) around the border inwards the club they completed the tasks. The thought is to acquire them thinking virtually the data they demand to respond each question.

Problem sets
Time is a huge occupation inwards H5N1 grade teaching. At my previous schoolhouse nosotros had 8 lessons a fortnight (split 5/3 betwixt ii teachers) inwards both Year 12 as well as Year 13. This merely was non plenty fourth dimension to learn 3 modules. I was ever rushing through topics as well as oftentimes stressed virtually running out of time. At my novel schoolhouse nosotros acquire to a greater extent than fourth dimension (10 lessons a fortnight inwards Year 12 as well as nine lessons a fortnight inwards Year 13) - this is much better, though I nonetheless experience some fourth dimension pressure. I'd honey to pass fourth dimension on occupation solving but 'getting through the examination specification' takes priority. For the strange occasion when I create acquire the chance to create some occupation solving amongst my students, I've collated a publish of problems sets (suitable for GCSE as well as AS level):
I got the problems from diverse sources (information listed inwards the PowerPoints). I usually impress the PDFs on A3 newspaper as well as acquire students to piece of work amongst a partner to solve the problems inwards whatsoever order.
Getting organised
When I was Key Stage five Coordinator I went into schoolhouse during the summertime holidays as well as spent a solar daytime downloading as well as organising hundreds of H5N1 grade resources. This saves everyone a lot of fourth dimension as well as endeavor during term time. I organised these resources past times topic on the schoolhouse network as well as added them to my school's H5N1 grade Schemes of Work. I've moved schools straight off but took all the files amongst me (attendees at my conference session were given my extensive C1/C2 resources files equally a give thank yous you for coming!).
Extract from C2 Scheme of Work

Some schools don't live on schemes of piece of work for H5N1 level. It's non a necessity similar it is at Key Stage 3 as well as GCSE. I was lucky that nosotros had fantabulous schemes of piece of work at my previous schoolhouse which contained lots of links to resources - these were gear upward as well as regularly updated past times my colleagues.

At the terminate of my workshop a delegate asked if I'd part these schemes of piece of work as well as I promised I would, thence here's C1 - C4 for yous to borrow as well as edit. None of the hyperlinks volition piece of work inwards these documents because they were linked to the schoolhouse network, non the internet, but at to the lowest degree it's a starting indicate for the structure.

Incidentally, if I were starting a resources collection from scratch thence I'd see using Pinterest or Pealrtrees to concord my collection because I honey the 'snapshot' format.

Sharing resources amongst students
Consider setting upward a weblog or Twitter occupation organisation human relationship for your students - accept students to an information technology Room as well as acquire them to follow the occupation organisation human relationship or register for e-mail updates to ensure yous acquire an audience. Publish essential data (eg assessment dates, homework deadlines) as well as hand access to resources, tips, enrichment as well as thence on. In the twelvemonth that I was Key Stage five Coordinator, I wrote a Sixth Form Maths Blog - it has been abandoned straight off I've left the school, which is a shame because I was actually proud of it. It was a groovy agency to encourage independent learning as well as to hand students opportunities to improve. Below is an illustration post thence yous tin come across how I shared resources amongst students. If yous desire to come across an illustration Twitter occupation organisation human relationship for students, hold back at @MathsNewVic.

So that's it! I hope these ii posts direct keep helped yous inwards creating or enhancing your collection of H5N1 grade resources. If yous attended my workshop I hope yous institute it useful. Please comment below to part anything adept that I've missed - I'd honey to come across your favourite resources as well as listen virtually what yous do.





Labels: , , , ,

In Representative Y'all Missed It...

Today I read a post yesteryear Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher) close her Top 10 Tweets. It struck me equally a non bad manner to part pop ideas to a greater extent than widely, especially alongside teachers who aren't on Twitter.

I in addition to then had a expect at Twitter Analytics which provides data on which of my tweets earn the most impressions in addition to engagements. Using that information, I've written this post service inwards monastic nation to part a pick of my pinnacle tweets from recent months, inwards instance you lot missed them... 

Top Tweets
1. This tweet - which features an indices employment from Brilliant.org - earned over 20,000 impressions. If you're non familiar alongside Brilliant.org, hit banking concern stand upward for it out. Their Facebook feed is especially good. 


2. I guide maintain no credit for whatsoever aspect of this tweet! It was Danielle Bartram's sentiment to reach stickers on calculators in addition to the stickers were produced yesteryear Ed Southall. I'm pleased to study that the sentiment has proved effective - I at nowadays uncovering it much easier to proceed rails of calculators that I lend to students.


3. Whenever I part a Don Steward resources it gets a lot of attention. That's because he's a legend in addition to his resources are unbelievably good. Here's 4 pop examples. If you lot don't regularly purpose Don Steward's resources in addition to then learn in addition to banking concern stand upward for out his blog immediately!




4. This tweet close my Open Evening post service was popular, partly because the 'Where everybody counts' film went downward well! The sign was created yesteryear the Blackpool Sixth Mathematics Department (@BSMathsDept).


5. My post service close cease of term enrichment activities is ane of my most pop posts ever.


6. Back inwards March my Year 10 cast made a newspaper plate circle theorem display. I got this lovely sentiment from Paul Collins.


7. This tweet yesteryear the awesome Hannah Fry actually made me smile.


8. Often my most pop tweets are those that promote a novel weblog post service - this ane was for my post service close GCSE revision resources...



9. ... in addition to this ane was for my post service close resources for stretch in addition to challenge.


10. One of my most pop tweets this calendar month was the tweet inwards which I outset suggested belongings a Christmas event.

The format of the lawsuit has changed slightly since this tweet, merely the engagement in addition to venue guide maintain at nowadays been confirmed in addition to tickets are selling fast. Check out christmaths.weebly.com for details.

I promise you've institute about inspiration inwards this post service - I've enjoyed looking dorsum at my tweets. Thanks for reading.







Labels: , ,

5 Maths Gems #44

Hello together with welcome to my 44th gems post. This is where I percentage maths didactics ideas I've seen on Twitter.

1. Problems past times Topic
I've frequently featured links to occupation solving resources inwards my posts but these are rarely organised past times topic. This agency nosotros own got to trawl through mixed packs of problems to abide by something suitable for our lessons. Bravo to Leanne Shaw (@LeanneShawAHS) for creating a really helpful novel website of occupation solving activities grouped past times topic. This growing collection includes both total lessons together with shorter tasks. The film below shows the resources listed nether 3D Shapes hence y'all larn an thought how this website works. It's good worth exploring.
2. Concept Maps
Thanks to Greg Coleman (Concept Maps which are designed to aid students develop their agreement of mathematical vocabulary. Have a read of Greg's postal service for to a greater extent than on this, including templates.
Concept maps past times Greg Coleman

3. Exam Skills
Thanks to @thefeelosopher for sharing the interesting resources pictured below. This is used to analyse the skills that contribute to students' success inwards maths GCSE exams. I've non seen anything similar this earlier together with thought my readers powerfulness live interested every bit it raises but about give-and-take points.

I wonder whether a similar analysis powerfulness live helpful inwards Year vii - for lawsuit at the terminate of the showtime term students could live given feedback against criteria such as:
  • Do they know their times tables? 
  • Is their handwriting legible? 
  • Do they inquire for aid when stuck? 
  • Do they brand expert notes inwards class? 
  • Do they create sufficient exercise inwards class? 

This would aid teachers together with parents position potential barriers to progress. Do allow me know if your schoolhouse does something similar this.

4. Puzzles 
I beloved the fantabulous puzzles that Emma Bell (@El_Timbre) has been sharing. Check out her blog to encounter the collection.
5. Lost Questions
Back inwards Gems 18 I featured a lovely thought for didactics factorisation - this was taken from Chris Smith's (@aap03102) newsletter. He puts something similar this on the board:
When the degree arrives he demands to know who rubbed the questions off the board. When no-one confesses he asks his students to figure out what the questions were.

Last calendar week Michael Allan (@mrallanmaths) tried this action together with constitute it worked good - he shared a film of his board on Twitter. 

This prompted Keith Morrison (@MrKMorrison) to elbow grease the same thought for sectionalisation together with multiplication.

During #mathsTLP on Dominicus at that spot was a discussion nigh other topics that this powerfulness operate for. There were but about actually expert ideas - I peculiarly similar the proposition that this could live used when introducing integration inwards C1.

Update
I wrote a review of but about resources for novel GCSE topics - if y'all learn Year 10 together with y'all missed it together with then create own got a look.

I too updated my mathsy gifts page inwards fourth dimension for Christmas.

I attended the Debating Education lawsuit at Michaela on Saturday. It was an interesting 24-hour interval together with all the debates were thought-provoking. The Andrew Old vs Bruno Reddy ground on mixed powerfulness was peculiarly relevant to maths together with is something I create cry back to weblog nigh at but about point.

Tickets for the CPD chemical ingredient of my Christmaths Party own got sold out. You all the same own got a few days left to buy tickets for the eve political party - bring together us for a fun nighttime of mathsy merriment.
School
School is going well, though really busy - I'm incredibly lucky to own got 2 Inset days coming up, the 2nd of which is a 'Christmas shopping' 24-hour interval off (to brand upwards for an extra Inset that was added at the start of term). It's perfect timing for a break.

I'm actually enjoying didactics Year 10 - nosotros had a expert become at all the novel sequences GCSE content. I ended the topic amongst these 2 puzzles from @jase_wanner which worked really well. In the showtime action students own got to fill upwards inwards the gaps together with inwards the 2nd action students are looking for the strange 1 out.
Year eleven is my big challenge because they're doing Linked Pair GCSE which has a lot to a greater extent than content than normal GCSE. This content (Flow Charts, AER, Linear Programming etc) is novel to me. I solely encounter my Year eleven degree iii times a calendar week which doesn't give me plenty fourth dimension to learn all the content inwards sufficient depth. I actually am feeling the fourth dimension pressure level together with own got never taught topics hence speedily before. Tight fourth dimension constraints don't allow for effective didactics hence I'm really pleased that my schoolhouse is looking to increase the resources allotment of maths on the timetable side past times side year. As a resultant I cry back we'll in all probability live looking to recruit novel maths teachers hence if y'all fancy coming to operate amongst me (based inwards Epsom, Surrey) together with then create larn inwards touch.

And finally...
Prompted past times but about recommendations I read on Twitter, I'm really much enjoying playing the fantabulous Sumaze puzzle app on my weep upwards at the moment. I'm too actually looking forrard to going to Just for Graphs this weekend, together with am really grateful to my married adult man for offering to come upwards amongst me.

I passed one-half a meg views of my weblog lastly calendar week - cheers really much for reading!

I'll exit y'all amongst this lovely visualisation of prime number factorisation which was shared on @edfromo's vivid Google Plus.





Labels: , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)