#Mathsconf4

I had a non bad 24-hour interval at La Salle Education's #mathsconf4 in the magnificent Grand Connaught Rooms inwards London yesterday. La Salle ever produce an amazing project of running fantastic events for maths teachers. I dear these conferences - I ever come upward away feeling inspired in addition to excited to hold upward a maths teacher. I too actually relish coming together upward alongside all the lovely people who I interact alongside on Twitter.

At the previous 2 conferences nosotros heard from Vanessa Pittard of the Department for Education. The offset fourth dimension I heard her speak I was real interested inwards all she had to tell - I learnt a lot nigh the politics in addition to policies of maths education, simply similar others I was slightly aggrieved past times her constant references to Shanghai in addition to Singapore in addition to the implication that maths teachers inwards the Britain were 'substandard'. She did the exact same presentation at the adjacent conference then it was a relief that nosotros didn't get got to listen it a 3rd fourth dimension yesterday. Instead nosotros heard the real sensible views of Mark McCourt, who spoke nigh the dangers of assuming that pedagogical approaches that function good inwards 1 jurisdiction volition function good inwards another.

A blurry photograph of my tabular array - @letsgetmathing, @El_Timbre, @WorkEdgeChaos, @DocendoTim, @tessmaths, @dwatson802, @mathszest, @MrMattock, @OxfordEdMaths

I too enjoyed the speed dating (ie resources sharing) session - I was given some lovely ideas past times @mathszest in addition to @Zfak102 - I'll characteristic these inwards hereafter gems posts.

The offset workshop I attended was 'From Euclid... to You' alongside the lovely @El_Timbre. In this session Emma talked us through her vast collection of fascinating maths books. I enjoyed seeing extracts from each book, such every minute the 'multiple ways to discussion a sectionalization question' pictured below (thanks to @danicquinn for the photo). It was too interesting to acquire that issues inwards maths didactics inwards the Britain (for instance the lack of qualified maths teachers) get got existed for decades.

The adjacent session I attended was nigh Core Maths. My novel schoolhouse is offering Core Maths from September then it was of import for me to notice out what it's all about. It was a real informative session in addition to I'm pleased to consider that there's an fantabulous Core Maths Support Programme website for resources in addition to instance studies.

I was disappointed to missy Craig Jeavons' (@Craigos87) 'Best of the US' session. I oftentimes read the States blogs in addition to I've featured a number of ideas in addition to resources from these blogs inwards my Maths Gems (such every minute Estimation 180, Visual Patterns, Open Middle and Graphing Stories) simply there's lots I've non yet discovered. It sounds similar the session was vivid in addition to everyone came away alongside lots of ideas to explore. I promise mortal blogs nigh it!

After a squeamish hot luncheon (thanks La Salle!) it was fourth dimension for my highlight of the 24-hour interval - the Tweet Up! This was an chance to network in addition to produce some maths. Our Tweet Up squad (led past times the lovely Julia Smith) gear upward lots of fun activities for people to get got business office in.

The #mathsconf4 Tweet Up Team - Dawn, Nicke, Julia, Emma, Danielle, me, Tom in addition to Martin

Thanks to Dawn (@mrsdenyer) for the fabulous 'you are following' t shirts

I ran a 'lowest positive integer competition' - I've previously written nigh this contest inwards my post nigh From Euclid... to You' alongside the lovely @El_Timbre. In this session Emma talked us through her vast collection of fascinating maths books. I enjoyed seeing extracts from each book, such every minute the 'multiple ways to discussion a sectionalization question' pictured below (thanks to @danicquinn for the photo). It was too interesting to acquire that issues inwards maths didactics inwards the Britain (for instance the lack of qualified maths teachers) get got existed for decades.

The adjacent session I attended was nigh Core Maths. My novel schoolhouse is offering Core Maths from September then it was of import for me to notice out what it's all about. It was a real informative session in addition to I'm pleased to consider that there's an fantabulous Core Maths Support Programme website for resources in addition to instance studies.

I was disappointed to missy Craig Jeavons' (@Craigos87) 'Best of the US' session. I oftentimes read the States blogs in addition to I've featured a number of ideas in addition to resources from these blogs inwards my Open Evening. It was interesting to consider the divergence betwixt maths teachers in addition to children inwards their approach to choosing a number - when I produce this activeness on Open Evening the winning number is ordinarily inwards the belatedly teens in addition to hundreds of children direct the number one. This fourth dimension solely 2 people chose 1 in addition to the winning number was two! Lots of people chose prime numbers, specially 17 in addition to 23. Well done to J Thomas for winning the prize.

I enjoyed coming together lots of novel people in addition to catching upward alongside some familiar faces at the Tweet Up.

After luncheon I attended a workshop nigh the novel GCSE. I've already looked at the novel GCSE specification in addition to sample assessment materials inwards gild to write my page 'New GCSE Support' (which is nonetheless function inwards progress) simply there's some elements (eg surface area nether a bend in addition to rates of change) that I hadn't looked at inwards particular earlier this workshop. I was interested to acquire how students are expected to function out the surface area nether the bend pictured below - the Trapezium Rule is allowed simply non essential. We were told that students would hold upward required to role at to the lowest degree v shapes to gauge the full area. I constitute this session real helpful in addition to would encourage whatever maths instructor who's non yet looked inwards particular at the novel specification in addition to sample questions to produce then earlier September.

Find the full distance travelled in addition to the acceleration at a sure as shooting time

The terminal session I attended was Martin Noon's (@letsgetmathing) 'Marking for the Reluctant Marker'. He shared lots of interesting assessment ideas that his subdivision has tried. It was a real helpful speak in addition to gave me lots to intend about.

The maths cakes were amazing. I was pleased to consider Dawn (@mrsdenyer) win the contest alongside her wonderful Pi cake.

I must tell a big give thank y'all you to Tim Stirrup (From Euclid... to You' alongside the lovely @El_Timbre. In this session Emma talked us through her vast collection of fascinating maths books. I enjoyed seeing extracts from each book, such every minute the 'multiple ways to discussion a sectionalization question' pictured below (thanks to @danicquinn for the photo). It was too interesting to acquire that issues inwards maths didactics inwards the Britain (for instance the lack of qualified maths teachers) get got existed for decades.

The adjacent session I attended was nigh Core Maths. My novel schoolhouse is offering Core Maths from September then it was of import for me to notice out what it's all about. It was a real informative session in addition to I'm pleased to consider that there's an fantabulous Core Maths Support Programme website for resources in addition to instance studies.

I was disappointed to missy Craig Jeavons' (@Craigos87) 'Best of the US' session. I oftentimes read the States blogs in addition to I've featured a number of ideas in addition to resources from these blogs inwards my Gems 8 (September 2014)

From Euclid... to You' alongside the lovely @El_Timbre. In this session Emma talked us through her vast collection of fascinating maths books. I enjoyed seeing extracts from each book, such every minute the 'multiple ways to discussion a sectionalization question' pictured below (thanks to @danicquinn for the photo). It was too interesting to acquire that issues inwards maths didactics inwards the Britain (for instance the lack of qualified maths teachers) get got existed for decades.

The adjacent session I attended was nigh Core Maths. My novel schoolhouse is offering Core Maths from September then it was of import for me to notice out what it's all about. It was a real informative session in addition to I'm pleased to consider that there's an fantabulous Core Maths Support Programme website for resources in addition to instance studies.

I was disappointed to missy Craig Jeavons' (@Craigos87) 'Best of the US' session. I oftentimes read the States blogs in addition to I've featured a number of ideas in addition to resources from these blogs inwards my #mathsconf2015 (March 2015)

Mei Conference 2015

Last calendar week was an incredibly busy calendar week for me. On overstep of a number of occupation solid unit of measurement events too personal commitments, I did the following:

• Attended #mathsconf4 inwards London too helped run the TweetUp
• Hosted #mathsTLP on Lord's Day nighttime too #mathscpdchat (on behalf of the NCETM) on Tuesday night
• Had my source SLT lesson observation at my novel school
• Did my source e'er TeachMeet presentation at #TMEpsom
• Wrote 3 weblog posts too processed a dozen novel Pret Homeworks
• Travelled to Bath to attend too introduce at the MEI Conference.

It was a slap-up calendar week but I'm therefore pleased it's over! I've already written virtually #mathsconf4, the #mathscpdchat virtually Problem Solving too #TMEpsom virtually Pret Homeworks, therefore this is my lastly ship service virtually the events of my busy calendar week - this ship service is virtually my sense of the MEI Conference.

Maths CPD

subject specific CPD. Although I produce pick upwards closed to ideas from generic T&L events, my instruction benefits the most from conversations virtually maths - both the pedagogy too the subject. Unfortunately, aside from on Twitter, opportunities for such conversations are few too 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 run across that closed to schools produce withal let their teachers to attend conferences. I chop-chop discovered that the chance to larn virtually maths too educate equally a instructor was immense.

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

Ideas for Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Level

The source session I attended was "The aspirational flat due east student" past times David Philip too Claire Phillips. The session was virtually how to back upwards AS maths students who convey an due east equally their baseline/target grade. We started past times discussing the reasons that therefore many students neglect AS flat maths too therefore flora out what David too Claire convey done at their schoolhouse to improve results. I've persuasion virtually this number earlier (see my post Bridging the Gap to Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 level) therefore it was slap-up to take away heed what they've been doing, including:

• They run an algebra bootcamp inwards the 3 days earlier term starts for flat B GCSE students.
• They number students alongside a self-assessment workbook containing the MEI exercise for each chapter (and links to solutions).
• They purpose a flipped learning approach for the basics (ie students spotter videos at dwelling occupation solid inwards advance of closed to lessons). Feedback from students has been good.
• They convey a department Twitter account (@mathsnewvic) which is the exclusively agency they communicate sure enough pieces of vital data (eg when the side past times side evidence is).
• They make students information virtually what questions volition live inwards assessments inwards advance (eg 'the side past times side evidence volition consist questions from 2011 past times papers') - students therefore produce all those questions to ready for the assessment, which is amend than doing zip at all.
• They convey whiteboard pigment on the walls. I wrote virtually Vertical Whiteboards in Gems 7 and i time 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 too Claire said that oft their students brand it inwards lessons too start solving problems on the walls conduct away - sometimes they don't fifty-fifty pose their bags down! If they acquire stuck they are much to a greater extent than probable to inquire closed to other pupil for aid than if they were sitting down. Another delegate said that this approach had transformed her teaching.

There's likewise a few things that David too Claire innovation to implement side past times side year. They recall to brand assessment results (broken downward past times question) world therefore students know who the practiced is inwards each topic, too they tin therefore acquire to their peers for help. They are likewise going to brand purpose of the MathsWatch App which is gratis for students when the schoolhouse subscribes to MathsWatch (the Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 flat video collection is growing).

Problem Solving
I likewise attended a session on Problem Solving at Key Stage 3 too four alongside Phil Chaffé. During this session I had fun trying out a make of maths problems.

My favourite problem, which I recall would live peculiarly suitable for Year 8 or 9, was 'Zag Area 1', which is shown below too available to download (with solution) from Integral (login required).

The session notes likewise featured these concern carte problems from the FMSP - these volition live available online from September.

All the problems featured inwards this session were drawn from Integral, the FMSP too Nrich. If you're looking for occupation solving resources therefore produce likewise banking venture check out my recent ship service Favourite Problems.

Mathematical Methods
National Mathematics Teacher Conference inwards March. It was virtually alternative mathematical approaches (eg all the unlike methods nosotros tin purpose to discovery the highest mutual constituent of 2 numbers). If yous await my 'Methods' page then you'll run 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 virtually how to factorise harder quadratics. I demonstrated 3 methods. The source was the 'guess too test' method (commonly used past times anyone over the historic catamenia of 20), the 2d was the 'grouping' method (used past times many U.K. teachers) too the tertiary was the 'slide too divide' method (sometimes used inwards the US, but considered a 'trick' past times many). We talked virtually advantages, disadvantages too alternatives. If you're interested inwards finding out to a greater extent than therefore run across my ship service Factorising Harder Quadratics, which I've but 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 flora my session useful. I did acquire closed to prissy encouraging feedback subsequently therefore I recall it went well.

Summary

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

So at that spot ends my busy week. I've fallen agency behind alongside my to-do listing therefore forthwith it's fourth dimension to acquire dorsum on track. First up, I'll proceed to locomote 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 i time again side past times side year.

#Mathsconf5

Yesterday La Salle Education held their 5th National Maths Teacher Conference. I didn't attend the start i (I was rattling novel to Twitter at the time) but I've attended the concluding iv conferences in addition to get got actually enjoyed them all. I honey learning to a greater extent than most maths didactics - I ever acquire dorsum to schoolhouse feeling inspired in addition to total of fresh ideas.

This fourth dimension the conference was held at Ponds Forge inwards Sheffield. The venue was a flake crude oil around the edges in addition to it was a shame that at that topographic point was no technical back upwards available for presenters, but Sheffield is ever a pleasance to visit. I travelled upwards afterward schoolhouse on Friday, spending my long develop journeying marker terrible S1 homeworks (note to self: instruct measure divergence again!). At Doncaster I bumped into some other Jo (the lovely @JoLocke1) - it was overnice to get got a companion for the residual of the journey. Following a brief halt at the hotel nosotros went to the pre-conference drinks at All Bar One. It was actually overnice to relax in addition to verbalise to people alongside usual interests - I enjoyed chatting most maths didactics alongside tweeps including (pictured below) @suzekward, @Ms_Kmp, @MoreThanMaths and @MsSteel_Maths.

In the morn I walked over to the conference alongside Jo Gledhill (the swain Lead Practitioner I'd met on my agency to Sheffield), Charmayne Bailey (also a Lead Practitioner, just dorsum from Shanghai) in addition to Mo Ladak (AST in addition to writer of the vivid website MathedUp!). What fantastic people - I couldn't get got asked for ameliorate company. On arrival I spotted not-so-grumpy Ed Southall (of solvemymaths.com - creator of the Maths Mr Men) - he kindly bought me a bacon sandwich in addition to told me most the book he's writing, which is going to live absolutely essential reading for maths teachers.

I'm at i time going to portion my thoughts on the iii workshops I attended - I'm non a non bad banker's complaint taker hence these are non detailed accounts, just a few highlights.

New GCSE - Andrew Taylor in addition to Craig Barton

This workshop left me slightly terrified most the novel GCSE! I honey Craig's operate but I've never seen him nowadays before. He is a highly entertaining in addition to engaging presenter in addition to I rattling much enjoyed listening to his thoughts in addition to insights. I'm quite familiar alongside the novel GCSE content - I've complied a whole page total of resources for the novel topics - but taking some other human face at sample examination questions, alongside Craig's commentary, was incredibly helpful. My immediate thoughts were:

• The novel content on Foundation - for event trigonometry in addition to quadratics - is only non suitable for this tier. The inclusion of these novel topics seems to totally negate the signal of a two-tier GCSE. This form of nonsense makes me cross. 
• In my persuasion our maths curriculum is far besides broad at Key Stage 4 (for both tiers) - instead of including novel topics, topics should get got been removed hence nosotros tin comprehend the of import materials inwards to a greater extent than depth. The authorities is desperate to improve our international maths rankings, but I believe that what nosotros instruct is a bigger employment than how nosotros instruct - in addition to inwards my persuasion the novel GCSE has gone inwards the incorrect direction.
• The novel GCSE volition include familiar topics inwards non-routine questions. I similar the mode of the novel GCSE questions rattling much but they volition for sure nowadays a large challenge for most students. The examples Craig showed clearly demonstrated this. We get got our operate cutting out! 

Craig announced a novel resources from AQA in addition to diagnosticquestions.com which I'm sure volition testify rattling helpful.  Here you volition find a collection of multiple selection quizzes inwards the mode of novel GCSE questions (more coming soon). As there's a Foundation in addition to Higher version for each topic, Craig suggested using the Foundation tests equally a baseline, in addition to then didactics the content, in addition to then using the Higher tests to assess progress. An event query is shown below.

As I've said, I don't brand non bad notes at conferences - but I was sitting adjacent to Ed during this session and, equally you lot tin see, his notes are crystal clear... Yes, that's a sheep.

Paper Maths - Jenny Steel
Pink-haired Jenny is fabulous, in addition to I knew just what to hold back from her workshop - lots of fourth dimension to play alongside paper, interspersed alongside didactics ideas. It was actually fun in addition to at that topographic point was a lovely atmosphere inwards the room. I'm non not bad alongside this form of affair (I've never had whatever success whatsoever alongside origami) but foldables (which are large inwards America) are definitely something I tin manage.

Check out Jenny's blog for lots to a greater extent than most this. She's planning to ready a website for sharing foldables too.

During this workshop I was rattling lucky to sit down adjacent to Kim (@Ms_Kmp) who writes the wonderful website mathssandpit.co.uk - she's rattling creative in addition to was showing me all sorts of fantastic newspaper maths. Here's my tabular array enjoying themselves:

Thanks to Suzanne Gardner for showing me a clever fob for making a quick revision booklet. And Ed (@solvemymaths) told us how to revitalise gum sticks - set a drib of H2O inwards the lid, set the lid on in addition to go out it upside downwards overnight. 

Overall this was a non bad workshop - thank you lot rattling much to Jenny for organising it.

Shanghai - Bruno Reddy, Craig Jeavons, Matt Fox

With iii presenters just dorsum from Shanghai, I knew there'd live a lot to acquire here. I enjoyed this session rattling much. As good equally all the myth busting (most strikingly, the fry sleeping at the dorsum of a classroom), enough of transferable didactics ideas were shared inwards this session. Craig has blogged most it here - slides in addition to notes volition live available shortly hence these ideas tin live shared to a greater extent than widely. 

We looked at how indices are taught, including the progression of questions which was fascinating. We also looked at translation (that's slide/glide to my non-UK readers) - I honey the agency the topic is introduced using videos in addition to pictures, followed yesteryear rattling clear, good structured explanations.

Narrative plays a large utilization inwards maths lessons inwards Shanghai - I wrote most the benefits of didactics through storytelling inwards my shipping service most High Expectations.

Picture by @DrBennison

Overall this was an fantabulous session - I liked hearing most maths didactics inwards Shanghai from iii unlike perspectives in addition to the content gave me a lot to intend about.

I was pleased alongside all my workshop choices. I'm getting ameliorate at picking the correct sessions - those that incorporate master copy ideas or helpful insights in addition to are straight relevant to my utilization or comprehend an surface area of involvement to me. I was rattling distressing to missy Kris Bolton's workshop on the Stories of Maths, but Tom Bennison came to the rescue in addition to filmed the whole verbalise (video here) - hurrah!

I hope that people who attended my workshop on H5N1 degree resources establish it to live content-rich in addition to good structured - whatever feedback is welcome. I wishing I'd had to a greater extent than fourth dimension hence that delegates could get got a acquire at to a greater extent than of the activities I shared. But I did my best to comprehend equally much equally I could inwards l minutes in addition to I promise people establish it helpful. I've written all most my workshop blog for lots to a greater extent than most this. She's planning to ready a website for sharing foldables too.

During this workshop I was rattling lucky to sit down adjacent to Kim (@Ms_Kmp) who writes the wonderful website mathssandpit.co.uk - she's rattling creative in addition to was showing me all sorts of fantastic newspaper maths. Here's my tabular array enjoying themselves:

Thanks to Suzanne Gardner for showing me a clever fob for making a quick revision booklet. And Ed (@solvemymaths) told us how to revitalise gum sticks - set a drib of H2O inwards the lid, set the lid on in addition to go out it upside downwards overnight. 

Overall this was a non bad workshop - thank you lot rattling much to Jenny for organising it.

Shanghai - Bruno Reddy, Craig Jeavons, Matt Fox

With iii presenters just dorsum from Shanghai, I knew there'd live a lot to acquire here. I enjoyed this session rattling much. As good equally all the myth busting (most strikingly, the fry sleeping at the dorsum of a classroom), enough of transferable didactics ideas were shared inwards this session. Craig has blogged most it here - slides in addition to notes volition live available shortly hence these ideas tin live shared to a greater extent than widely. 

We looked at how indices are taught, including the progression of questions which was fascinating. We also looked at translation (that's slide/glide to my non-UK readers) - I honey the agency the topic is introduced using videos in addition to pictures, followed yesteryear rattling clear, good structured explanations.

Narrative plays a large utilization inwards maths lessons inwards Shanghai - I wrote most the benefits of didactics through storytelling inwards my shipping service most here for those who didn't attend.

A Susan Wall activity from my workshop

TweetUp

Julia Smith (@tessmaths) did a vivid labor of organising the TweetUp at lunchtime. I was inwards accuse of the photobooth - give thank you lot you to all who posed for a photo.

Cakes in addition to Gifts 

Huge thank you lot to Andrew Paget, Julia Smith in addition to Rob Smith for the gifts - such generous people. Thanks also to Luke Graham for inviting me to acquire involved inwards his GCSE collaboration session which I'm sure he'll weblog most soon. 

Apologies for non mentioning everyone who I spoke to - it actually was lovely to run across novel people, in addition to to consider people i time again who I've met at previous conferences.

I ever honey the cake contest - the within of the Rubik's Cube cake was peculiarly impressive! All the cakes were awesome, but I was pleased to consider the circle theorem cakes win the prize - banking concern check out the tiny tangents.

Overall it was a non bad twenty-four hours - I met many many lovely people, talked a lot most maths teaching, felt inspired, in addition to survived my workshop inwards i slice (phew!). Thanks to La Salle for some other vivid conference. See you lot all at the adjacent one.

#mathsconf5 inwards activity - painting by @dmg_13

#Christmaths15

It's hard to know what to write most #christmaths15 because I'm all the same a fleck overwhelmed past times it all.

H5N1 few months agone I decided that I wanted to run an effect which would render an chance for teachers to beak most the novel GCSE. Importantly, I didn't desire it to last an effect but for tweeters - I wanted it to last opened upward to anyone who had an interest. Originally I was thinking of a cross betwixt a TeachMeet together with here) - a combination of CPD together with a social event. I've e'er enjoyed throwing parties together with Christmas seemed similar the ideal fourth dimension to create so.

Once I started contacting potential venues, I realised that it was going to last far to a greater extent than hard than I originally thought. I couldn't notice a large, well-located pub business office room that had AV facilities together with was available for gratis hire for a whole afternoon together with evening. I searched high together with depression together with was most to surrender when I stumbled upon Pause Bar, which is a business office venue located inwards the City of London - my stomping solid soil when I worked inwards Banking.

I was required to gild nutrient inwards advance which meant I had to accuse for tickets - this wasn't ideal because I was hoping to become far a gratis event, but I decided to have got a endangerment that people would last willing to pay. I booked it at half-term, putting downward a hefty deposit which wiped out my meagre savings. I straightaway regretted it! The pressure level was on.

Over the next calendar month my hubby was subjected to constant updates - 'I but sold some other ticket! Wooo!' together with 'I haven't sold a ticket inwards 2 days! This is a disaster' - that form of thing. Thankfully it did sell out pretty quickly, showing that in that place is strong need for events similar this. I ended upward amongst a waiting list.

I had a lot of decisions to brand - speakers, food, drinks, music, puzzles, quizzes, handouts... My budget was pretty tight together with then it was all real DIY (it took forever to impress the programmes on my domicile printer!). I did my best to become far all equally slick together with professional person equally possible. AQA real kindly provided materials relating to the novel GCSE (and gratis pens!). Emma Bell (@El_Timbre) provided puzzles together with Rob Beckett (@RBeckett_Yd) brought along copies of Chalkdust Magazine. I couldn't afford a DJ together with then did a playlist myself, together with I wrote my ain quiz (which is here, if you'd similar a go! Answers available on request). From the £25 ticket price, £2.50 went direct to EventBrite together with or together with then £22 went on food, gulp together with service. With the residue I bought everyone a Lindt teddy!

Thankfully things went good on the day. The venue looked pretty, sparkling amongst Christmas lights. The welcome drinks went downward good together with the nutrient was real nice. People seemed to have got a practiced time. Most importantly, the CPD was real good received. There were a twosome of problems -  the wifi was intermittent together with some people couldn't run across the hide from their seat. I'm hugely lamentable most these things. Otherwise I retrieve it was a success. I was incredibly anxious inwards the weeks leading upward to the effect together with then I'm real relieved it went quite smoothly on the day.

The speakers were brilliant. I knew they would be. I am hugely grateful to all of them. I volition write some other post most the fundamental ideas I took from their sessions, together with I volition percentage their presentations if I can.

Who bought me a Jägerbomb at 6.30pm?! You know who yous are! I had no chance of surviving the black inwards 1 slice afterward that. Mel (@Just_Maths) was on travel past times cast too, getting inwards circular afterward circular of Baby Guinness. For the final twosome of hours in that place were solely a dozen of us left but nosotros had such an awesome time.

Tweeters enjoying the party

Sambuca amongst Tom Quilter of pinpointlearning.co.uk. (Rob Smith photoboming!)

I actually enjoyed chatting to together with then many lovely people - I can't listing them all hither but they know who they are. Huge thank yous to my friends who helped me develop everything upward at the showtime of the event, those who bought me drinks together with those who called me a taxi at the halt of the night. Thank yous also to everyone who either came to the effect or supported me inwards some agency (particularly my long-suffering husband!).

I was given a carte du jour which was signed past times my guests - I'm incredibly touched past times this. I volition treasure it.

I can't brand whatsoever promises that I'll run some other effect adjacent year! At times I was actually stressed most it all. It was surely the biggest projection I've ever taken on. Hosting a political party is hard operate together with at times I said 'never again', but I know what I'm similar - I can't resist! I'm non sure most the venue though, together with the jury's out on whether it volition last summertime or Christmas. Watch this space!

Finally, here's a Storify of the tweets from before, during together with afterward the event. It's lovely to read through together with run across how much people enjoyed themselves. I'm actually chuffed.

Merry Christmas everyone! From a real tired but happy @mathsjem.

Dates For The Diary

2015 has been the almost eventful twelvemonth of my teaching career to date. I returned to piece of job from motherhood exit inwards Jan as well as took on a Lead Practitioner move at a novel schoolhouse vi months later. I continued to last a busy blogger as well as tweeter throughout the twelvemonth as well as was chuffed that my efforts were recognised at the United Kingdom of Great Britain as well as Northern Ireland Blog Awards inwards April. During 2015 I attended numerous teaching events including maths conferences, TeachMeets, debates as well as my real ain Christmaths party. Although it's tempting to write a long as well as rambling reflection of all the events of the year, instead I've decided to await at what 2016 has to offer. There's loads going on inwards the twelvemonth ahead as well as this post lists a few highlights. Full listings tin laissez passer the sack last constitute here.

January
Back to schoolhouse as well as the chaos starts all over again. If your schoolhouse is form plenty to allow you lot out for a day, I reckon La Salle's National Maths Education Symposium on Th 21st Jan is worth a look. The programme is excellent.

I'm incredibly jealous of anyone who is able to attend the adjacent Peterborough Maths Network event. They've solely managed to describe of piece of job upwards the almost awesome mortal inwards the maths teaching - Don Steward! This lawsuit takes house after schoolhouse on 19th Jan as well as you'd last foolish to fille it.

It's also my birthday on sixth January... simply saying.

February

It's a outflow year! Did you lot run into this tweet from Matt Parker? I ♥ numbers.

Sure, 2016 is non divisible yesteryear five similar 2015, but it is divisible yesteryear EVERY OTHER SINGLE-DIGIT NUMBER. quaternary fourth dimension ever. Max possible until 2520.

— Matt Parker (@standupmaths) December 27, 2015

March as well as April
Have you lot noticed how curt the Spring Term is? Easter falls early on inwards 2016. As a upshot there's an awful lot going on during March.

The write-up of the final conference to larn an persuasion of what goes on.

I'm also actually looking forwards to Julia Smith's (@tessmaths) Easter Maths Camp which is on 28th as well as 29th March in sunny St Osyth, Essex. There's all sorts of lovely activities lined upwards - contact Julia if you lot desire to larn involved.

As always, the ATM as well as MA are belongings their conferences over the Easter holidays. The ATM's Easter Conference 2016 is inwards Warwick from Tuesday 29th March to Fri 1st Apr as well as the MA Annual Conference 2016 takes house inwards Oxford from Fri 1st Apr to Lord's Day tertiary April. Both get got fantabulous programmes. Hopefully when my children are older I'll last able to attend i of these residential conferences.

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 distich of weeks into the Summer Term is my write-up here) as well as therefore if you lot larn the adventure to go, I actually recommend it.

July as well as August
I'll last presenting on Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 degree resources at the annual FMSP Key Stage five Teachers Conference inwards London on eighth July - details to follow.

Tom Bennison (@DrBennison) is organising an East Midlands KS5 Mathematics Conference on ninth August at the University of Nottingham. With the upcoming implementation of new Key Stage five specifications, Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 degree CPD is going to accept centre phase over the adjacent 2 years. Tom is planning what sounds similar an fantabulous lawsuit - I volition part details when they are announced.

September to December
#mathsconf8 takes house inwards Manchester on 1st Oct - it's a fleck of a trek for me but I wouldn't fille it!

I'm certain there'll last lots to a greater extent than Autumn Term events announced closer to the time. Maybe fifty-fifty a #christmaths16... And (fingers crossed) I actually promise to organise something when the novel maths gallery opens at the Science Museum. Watch this space.

Quick - larn these dates inwards your diary now!

Throughout the twelvemonth there's loads of fantastic local events organised yesteryear bodies such equally the Further Maths Support Programme as well as the Maths Hubs. I haven't listed everything here, but there's ever plenty going on for maths teachers as well as therefore create honor out what's happening inwards your area.

I await forwards to seeing you lot at an lawsuit inwards 2016.

Happy New Year!