Deliberate Mistakes

Image: weandserendipity.com

I'm e'er on the sentry for novel ideas for GCSE revision lessons. If I write near this sentiment at nowadays in addition to therefore hopefully I'll recollect it come upwardly Spring.

This yr I had slap-up success alongside relay races in addition to carousels inwards my revision lessons. I besides did some pupil-led lessons which were a lot less successful.

This 'deliberate mistakes' sentiment is something I've adapted from this blog post, therefore give thank y'all you to @bkdidact for sharing the link in addition to @kellyoshea for the inspiration. I've never seen this inwards maths earlier but it may hold out that many of y'all already produce it, if therefore in addition to therefore I'd similar to hear your feedback.

The Mistake Game
Students, inwards pairs or pocket-size groups, are given a work to solve in addition to explicate to the class. In their explanation, they must include a deliberate mistake. Not exactly a numerical slip, but something that highlights a possible misconception that their classmates powerfulness have.

If I role this for GCSE revision in addition to therefore by examine questions (the longer, unstructured types) would function best - there's some examples inwards this fantabulous laid of questions from Suffolk Maths. But this sentiment could besides function when education specific topics. I intend I may drive it this yr when education both trigonometry in addition to probability trees.

For example, if y'all role the Mistake Game when education Pythagoras' Theorem, y'all could role this inquiry (solve for x):

The mutual error hither is to non foursquare the four (though students may come upwardly up alongside something else).

Here's some other example, from this worksheet from thechalkface.net.

There's numerous things they could (deliberately) produce incorrect inwards this one!

When each grouping goes through their inquiry on the board, their classmates volition hold out listening carefully to location the mistake, therefore it's slap-up for getting students to focus. I'm non certain how best to organise the responses. Perhaps students could seat their mitt upwardly every bit before long every bit they location the error therefore it tin hold out corrected right away in addition to and therefore the balance of the solution tin hold out done correctly. Or mayhap when the grouping direct keep finished presenting their sum explanation, a volunteer could come upwardly up to the board in addition to right their work. Or maybe later on each presentation the students could verbalise over the work inwards their groups, create upwardly one's heed what was incorrect in addition to re-do the inquiry correctly.

This is a flake similar 'tick or trash' exercises - it's helpful for pupils to hold out aware of mutual mistakes. I've besides used these 'Classic Mistakes' inwards previous revision lessons.

The Mistake Game is besides a practiced chance for students to run into each other’s approaches to solving problems in addition to verbalise over the effectiveness of dissimilar methods.

I intend this activeness volition engage the whole degree - I'll drive it out in addition to allow y'all know! If you've ever tried anything similar this in addition to therefore delight portion your thoughts. I recommend reading near the sense of the instructor who wrote the original post. As she says, ‘we all acquire to a greater extent than when a incorrect response goes upwardly than when we’re only watching perfection’.

Image: bigthink.com

Pythagoras' Theorem

Pythagoras' Theorem is ane of my favourite topics to teach. In my experience, students quite similar it too. At outset they may hold out intimidated past times the novel as well as seemingly complex mathematics. It's in all probability the outset fourth dimension they've seen words such equally theorem, proof as well as hypotenuse thus no wonder they're apprehensive. But they'll rapidly larn the hang of it.

When H5N1 score students receive got to discovery the distance betwixt 2 points or verify that a triangle is right-angled, their outset thought should hold out Pythagoras. By Year 12, Pythagoras' Theorem should hold out a staple inwards their mathematical toolkit, along alongside other skills such equally arithmetic, fractions, simplifying algebra, using index laws as well as factorising quadratics. In my sentiment these things are the breadstuff as well as butter of secondary schoolhouse higher mathematics.

I'm going to affect briefly on proofs at the terminate of this postal service but my master copy focus is on interesting Pythagoras questions as well as resources for Key Stage 3 as well as 4. Before nosotros start, I should number my commons caveat - there's absolutely loads of fantabulous Pythagoras resources online as well as hither I'm exactly showcasing a small-scale selection.

Interesting Questions
It's non ever necessary to strength a inquiry into a 'real world' context to larn inwards engaging. Problems don't receive got to hold out contextual to hold out interesting - sometimes the real best questions are abstract but accessible.

In this example from illustrativemathematics.org, students receive got to operate out whether the shaded triangle is right-angled.

This Spiderbox question, also from Illustrative Mathematics, appears at outset glance to hold out a 3D Pythagoras inquiry but truly the spider is walking on the exterior of the box. Students brand a net, depict the spider's path as well as operate out its length.

amusing post from Math Jokes four Mathy Folks.

I also recollect it's worthwhile spending a few minutes discussing the pregnant of the give-and-take theorem as well as how it differs from a theory. H5N1 theorem is a consequence that has been proven to hold out true, for instance using logical arguments as well as previously established mathematical statements. Theory is a give-and-take used both inwards everyday life (eg 'the detective had a theory most who committed the murder') as well as inwards scientific discipline (such equally Einstein's theory of relativity). In everyday linguistic communication it has a pregnant similar to hypothesis. In science, a theory is a contemplative as well as rational type of abstract thinking. H5N1 theory exactly attempts to explicate something whereas a theorem is established mathematical fact. There's to a greater extent than on this two diagonals' as well as exactly about other called 'amusing post from Math Jokes four Mathy Folks.

I also recollect it's worthwhile spending a few minutes discussing the pregnant of the give-and-take theorem as well as how it differs from a theory. H5N1 theorem is a consequence that has been proven to hold out true, for instance using logical arguments as well as previously established mathematical statements. Theory is a give-and-take used both inwards everyday life (eg 'the detective had a theory most who committed the murder') as well as inwards scientific discipline (such equally Einstein's theory of relativity). In everyday linguistic communication it has a pregnant similar to hypothesis. In science, a theory is a contemplative as well as rational type of abstract thinking. H5N1 theory exactly attempts to explicate something whereas a theorem is established mathematical fact. There's to a greater extent than on this kite areas'.

Helpful Worksheets

horacek.com.au

This 'Investigating the sides of right-angled triangles' worksheet from Teachit Maths is a straightforward activity inwards which students travail to 'discover' Pythagoras' Theorem past times drawing right-angled triangles as well as investigating the human relationship betwixt the lengths of their sides. Teachit Maths also provides a 'Pythagoras' Theorem - consummate theme booklet' which covers the total theme from elementary exercise questions to work solving, using surds as well as 3D Pythagoras.

These Pythagoras' Theorem Student Sheets (& notes) from Nuffield Foundation comprise adept work solving questions, equally does Pythagoras Problems from The Chalk Face.

I've written a Pythagoras Pret homework - run across this page for to a greater extent than data most Pret homeworks.

Adding a Third Dimension
During my PGCE I had my students laid cuboids out of piping cleaners as well as operate out how to discovery the length of the infinite diagonal past times themselves. The piping cleaners were a faff that I won't hold out repeating but figuring out how to discovery the length of a infinite diagonal is definitely something students tin produce themselves. Perhaps the easiest prop to role is your classroom. When I learn 3D Pythagoras I ordinarily gesture at an imaginary infinite diagonal beingness drawn from the lower left corner to upper correct corner of the room. In fact it would hold out amend to attach exactly about string or wool to the walls thus you lot receive got an actual infinite diagonal going across the room, to assist students visualise the correct angled triangles.

There's 2 approaches to pedagogy 3D Pythagoras. One is to receive got the pupils derive the formula for the infinite diagonal (eg d² =  x² + y² + z²) as well as and thus memorise it. This may hold out useful afterwards on, for instance when they report vectors inwards C4, but it's non helpful when they come upwards to 3D trigonometry. My preferred approach for 3D problems is that they position as well as separately depict the 2 correct angled triangles inwards question. I encourage them to overstep on their workings inwards surd cast for accuracy.

Good 3D questions are available inwards these Trigonometry Worksheets (see exercise T7) past times Frank Tapson (from the Cleave Books website).

Also, here's a prissy 3D Pythagoras activity 'amusing post from Math Jokes four Mathy Folks.

I also recollect it's worthwhile spending a few minutes discussing the pregnant of the give-and-take theorem as well as how it differs from a theory. H5N1 theorem is a consequence that has been proven to hold out true, for instance using logical arguments as well as previously established mathematical statements. Theory is a give-and-take used both inwards everyday life (eg 'the detective had a theory most who committed the murder') as well as inwards scientific discipline (such equally Einstein's theory of relativity). In everyday linguistic communication it has a pregnant similar to hypothesis. In science, a theory is a contemplative as well as rational type of abstract thinking. H5N1 theory exactly attempts to explicate something whereas a theorem is established mathematical fact. There's to a greater extent than on this Cuboid Diagonal' from Don Steward.

Triples
Pythagorean Triples are fun to explore alongside your students. Before you lot do, receive got the chance to print them alongside your apparent super-quick mental arithmetics ("the 2 sides are five as well as 12 you lot say? Well the hypotenuse must hold out 13").

Activity 3.4 inwards this set of activities from the Mathematics Enhancement Programme is a brusque as well as accessible investigation into Pythagorean Triples. The Mathematics Assessment Programme also has a Pythagorean Triples activity and Don Steward has students looking for patterns. There are many to a greater extent than substantial investigations available online.

Vocabulary

amusing post from Math Jokes four Mathy Folks.

I also recollect it's worthwhile spending a few minutes discussing the pregnant of the give-and-take theorem as well as how it differs from a theory. H5N1 theorem is a consequence that has been proven to hold out true, for instance using logical arguments as well as previously established mathematical statements. Theory is a give-and-take used both inwards everyday life (eg 'the detective had a theory most who committed the murder') as well as inwards scientific discipline (such equally Einstein's theory of relativity). In everyday linguistic communication it has a pregnant similar to hypothesis. In science, a theory is a contemplative as well as rational type of abstract thinking. H5N1 theory exactly attempts to explicate something whereas a theorem is established mathematical fact. There's to a greater extent than on this here.

Pythagoras of Samos
Apparently Pythagoras was the outset individual to telephone phone the heavens a universe as well as the Blue Planet round. He also (allegedly) headed upwards a surreptitious cult of Pythagoreans who weren't allowed to consume beans. Pythagoras said that "each number has its ain personality - masculine or feminine, perfect or incomplete, beautiful or ugly". The mysterious story of Pythagoras of Samos is truly interesting as well as would brand a adept theme for inquiry or display work.

Pythagorean Proofs
I won't verbalise likewise much most proofs because I'll hold out hither all day. I must advert this vivid H2O demonstration video though.



If you lot desire your students to attempt exactly about proof activities, this line 'Proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem' from Mathematics Assessment Project is most comparison 3 unlike proofs.

Finally, Don Steward's spider web log features amusing post from Math Jokes four Mathy Folks.

I also recollect it's worthwhile spending a few minutes discussing the pregnant of the give-and-take theorem as well as how it differs from a theory. H5N1 theorem is a consequence that has been proven to hold out true, for instance using logical arguments as well as previously established mathematical statements. Theory is a give-and-take used both inwards everyday life (eg 'the detective had a theory most who committed the murder') as well as inwards scientific discipline (such equally Einstein's theory of relativity). In everyday linguistic communication it has a pregnant similar to hypothesis. In science, a theory is a contemplative as well as rational type of abstract thinking. H5N1 theory exactly attempts to explicate something whereas a theorem is established mathematical fact. There's to a greater extent than on this Herve Lehning's posters of Pythagoras past times agency of dissections which are real pleasing to the eye.

I promise this has been helpful if you're planning Pythagoras lessons. Please comment if you lot receive got whatever ideas to add.

I've similar a shot seat all my theme resources specials here so they are easier to browse.

5 Maths Gems #16

It's December! Time for students as well as teachers to kickoff getting overly excited nearly the upcoming Christmas holidays. There's yet iii to a greater extent than weeks of teaching to learn through though, as well as most schools do mock GCSEs inward Dec or January, thence things are equally busy equally ever. Let's expect at or thence of the ideas that receive got been shared on Twitter this week. I've got lots of overnice geometry for y'all today.

1. Frozen Fractals

I'm non a fan of Disney princess films, only I receive got daughters at nowadays thence I've been forced to picket Frozen many many times. I truly quite similar it. Being a mathematician, my favourite business office is when Elsa sings nearly 'frozen fractals' inward the vocal Let it Go. I had no stance what the give-and-take fractal meant until a few years agone thence it seems strange to remove heed it inward a children's film. It got me thinking - is in that place whatever value inward teaching our students nearly fractals at secondary school? I squall upwards in that place is. 

What are Fractals as well as why should I care? by George Dallas. This is an incredibly clear as well as accessible article. The best means to empathise fractals is to clitoris 1 - the article describes how to clitoris a Von Koch curve.

Give your students or thence dotted or triangle graph newspaper as well as they could follow the instructions inward this worksheet to clitoris a 'Koch snowflake'. While they're creating their fractals, exhibit them this lovely microscopic timelapse video of existent snowflakes (thanks to @misseyfs for sharing this).

Because I'm writing this post on 1st Dec I'm thinking of Christmassy snowflakes, only nosotros tin flame expect at other fractals too. The Sierpinski Triangle is also a overnice introduction to agreement fractals. The awesome website fractalfoundation.org has an fantabulous worksheet (a 'fractivity') in which each of your students brand their ain Sierpinski Triangle - they as well as then stick them together to brand a 'class fractal'. Show the video on the page Fractal Trianglethon to wow your students alongside giant Sierpinski Triangles!

Alternatively your students could create Fractal Cutouts like the 1 pictured below.

And this Mathematical Christmas Tree is equally fractally equally they come.

If y'all desire to farther explore fractals, your students mightiness hold out interested inward this Numberphile video 'Measuring Coastline'.

Whether y'all brand snowflakes, triangles or cutouts, the signal is that students come upwards away from the lesson agreement what a fractal is. It may non hold out on the syllabus only it's interesting mathematics nonetheless. And your students volition hold out able to country their friends that they empathise the mathematical reference inward Frozen.

2. Angles
I honey this angles interrogation from @j_lanier. I'd role it inward a GCSE revision lesson. Students receive got to apply a number of rules to uncovering all 4 angles - it's a proficient chance for them to practise articulating their reasoning.

3. Pythagorean Triples
I was looking at recent posts on my favourite blog, the ever-brilliant Median yesteryear Don Steward, when I noticed a link to a weblog I'd non seen earlier - Pythagorean Triple Tasks yesteryear Hannah Jones. There's or thence lovely activities here.

By the way, speaking of Don Steward, did y'all know he also has a blog for exercise resources? These are equally good designed equally his rich tasks. There's loads of proficient questions for GCSE revision, which y'all mightiness uncovering useful this calendar week if your Year 11s receive got mocks coming up. I especially similar these grids of 'practice makes perfect' questions. Also, I spotted this fantastic work inward his A & A* questions - a lovely starter for my Year 12s:

4. Semi-circle

Did y'all run across Ed Southall's awesome semi-circle problem? I'd role this equally an extension activeness inward a Pythagoras lesson, only there's loads of methods for solving it - others receive got used similar triangles, trigonometry as well as coordinate grids. It's both accessible as well as challenging for students from Key Stage 3 upwards to Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 level.

5. Christmassy Maths
I started to write a seasonal maths resources page only lots of other lovely bloggers receive got done something similar. So rather than reinvent the wheel, I'll signal y'all inward the administration of:

• @missradder's post Christmaths
• @Ms_Kmp's post ChrisMaths Cheer
• @solvemymaths' post 2014 Christmas Maths Lessons

There are hundreds of fantabulous Christmas-themed maths resources. I'd similar to recommend a few inward add-on to those inward the posts above. There are 2 from Teachit Maths that I especially similar - the 12 days of Christmas budget activity which involves work solving using percentages, as well as Mistletoe as well as Lines which is proficient exercise of forthwith business graphs. I also similar these resources from Oxford University Press. Most Christmas resources are aimed at Key Stage 3 students, only your Year 11s mightiness similar this Christmas Shading Graphical Inequalities by frickard on TES. And how nearly this lovely Christmas tree logic problem?

Logic work from ageofpuzzles.com

That's it for this week. Please don't forget to expire along tweeting or emailing me photos of misconceptions or mutual mistakes inward your students' work. Thanks!

A Calendar Week Inwards The Classroom

My start calendar week dorsum at run has been challenging to tell the least. Eight novel classes, a novel Year eleven tutor group, over 200 names to learn, changes to schoolhouse policies together with practices, novel plant nursery routines for my toddler together with baby... the listing goes on. I also celebrated a Fibonacci birthday this week, therefore I’ve been actually busy both at run together with at home. I know it volition acquire easier when I acquire dorsum into the swing of things.

I received my timetable yesteryear electronic mail during the Christmas holidays therefore at that topographic point was no chance for a handover with the previous teacher. This calendar week I've been busy trying to figure out what topics to learn and, for my examine classes, how I'm going to lucifer everything inward earlier study locomote out commences inward May. I'm out of my comfort zone without detailed plans! I solely run 3 days a calendar week but this yr I'm teaching viii unlike classes nether a undertaking part organisation (double the release of classes I had final year!). I'll accept to survive real mindful of the sense of my students, who all accept at to the lowest degree 2 maths teachers right away - switching betwixt teachers together with topics tin sack survive hard for them.

Job sharing has its challenges but at that topographic point are simply about advantages, the head i beingness that I right away accept my ain classroom (most part-timers are schoolhouse nomads). I dear non having to motion from room to room all the fourth dimension - it actually does brand my days less stressful.

When I left run to accept a babe I was Key Stage 5 Coordinator, a role that I loved. I don't accept a TLR anymore therefore am focusing all my efforts on teaching. Since starting to write this weblog together with entering the Twittersphere I've acquire a much to a greater extent than reflective teacher. In this post I desire to part a twosome of things that accept gone good this week.

Angles with Year 7
The matter I uncovering hardest most teaching Year seven is that I don't actually know what maths they've done inward previous years. I demand to see simply about local primary schools together with uncovering simply about Year half dozen maths lessons. This calendar week I found out that most of my students were aware that the interior angles of a triangle amount to 180^o, but non aware that vertically contrary angles are equal. I found simply about questions (example below) inward which they had to combine their existing noesis with their newly acquired knowledge. They found these quite challenging - I don't holler back they're used to multi-step questions similar this.

Brilliant.org is an fantabulous source of extension questions for lessons on angles, similar the instance shown below.

I'll survive moving onto angles inward parallel lines with Year seven adjacent calendar week together with I'm looking forrad to using 'Angle Facts.

I did quite a lot on vocabulary with Year seven this calendar week because there's lots of novel words inward this topic. When I was defining 'vertically contrary angles', I spotted the fact below on mathsisfun.com. This was novel to me - I in all likelihood should accept known this! It was helpful to part this with my students because I'd simply taught them the pregnant of the word vertex.

Finally, I recommend the brusk video Gems 19). I showed it inward my lesson on triangles together with it went downwards well.

Problem Solving with Year 11
It's of import that I apace flora a skillful human relationship with my Year eleven class. I've acquire their instructor at a belatedly phase inward their GCSE course, but I withal accept fourth dimension to brand a difference. I demand this aeroplane to trust me. I meet them 5 times a fortnight together with that gives me 36 lessons to complete the syllabus together with fix for their exams. This calendar week I decided to pass a lesson getting to know them. I handed out a problem solving activity then went circular together with met each educatee individually, chatting to them most their predicted grades together with the topics they desire me to review. While I circulated, they worked on viii problems of varying levels of difficulty. In the halt I ran out of fourth dimension to verbalize to everyone but I withal holler back the lesson went good - they were actually engaged inward solving the problems together with I heard lots of discussions most mathematics.

These problems are from a multifariousness of sources (thanks to all originators!). At the halt of the lesson the solely work that remained unanswered was the 'find the radius of the circle' work from Chris Smith's newsletter - most students hadn't fifty-fifty attempted it but I promised them we'd await at it simply about other day.

I did a similar lesson with Year 8 (top set), except all their problems involved Pythagoras' Theorem (I told them to exercise Pythagoras, pregnant they had a starting indicate for each question. Perhaps I shouldn't accept told them). Again, my students were actually engaged inward this activity. They peculiarly liked the 'Spider Box' question. The solely enquiry that no-one answered was Ed Southall's semi-circle work (I suggested they challenge parents or older siblings to accept a go). Also, the enquiry below was answered incorrectly yesteryear almost every educatee (they squared the superlative to acquire 4w² instead of 16w²).

Support
Student Communication using Blogs). I'm trying Twitter equally an choice this year, the thought beingness that students (or their parents) follow me for useful links (eg for examine revision), interesting maths, reminders (eg 'you accept a examine adjacent week') together with therefore on. I've already started tweeting links to homeworks therefore students tin sack impress a re-create if they lose their sheet. I've also said that I volition offering maths back upwards through Twitter, therefore they tin sack inquire for assist anytime they acquire stuck on a homework or when revising.

I'm non certain how successful this volition be. Other schools are much to a greater extent than Twitter-friendly than mine. We don't accept a schoolhouse Twitter draw of piece of work organisation human relationship to communicate with parents, together with I holler back I'm the start instructor at my schoolhouse to essay to exercise Twitter for educational purposes. So I got nervous giggles from my classes when I told them most it. I incertitude many of them accept a Twitter draw of piece of work organisation human relationship therefore it mightiness non work, but we'll see. I'll study dorsum on this inward a few months!

What's Next?
Well it's solely been a calendar week therefore I've withal got loads to try. I downloaded iDoceo but haven't had a adventure to await at it yet. I'm also increasingly great on setting upwards a visualiser (via my iPad), to demo examples of educatee run on the IWB (amongst other things). Funnily plenty i of the most useful things I've done this calendar week is exercise my ain website, resourceaholic.com, to uncovering resources! My resources libraries accept saved me a lot of time. I've already noticed gaps inward them though - goose egg on angles inward triangles for instance - therefore I'll run on boosting my libraries over the adjacent few months.

That's it from me. I've found it quite therapeutic to reverberate on my start calendar week dorsum at schoolhouse together with I hope there's been something helpful for you lot hither too. There'll survive no gems post this calendar week because I've non had much fourth dimension to acquire on Twitter, but I'll write i adjacent week. Please don't forget to acquire a complimentary ticket to La Salle's National Mathematics Teacher Conference which is on Pi Day inward Birmingham (I'm delivering a session). I hope to meet you lot there. Also, White Rose Math Hub's Celebration of Maths is definitely worth attending. I'm gutted I can't conk (I can't afford the prepare fare to Leeds!) but it looks awesome.

Selfie with my girls on my final solar daytime of motherhood leave

5 Maths Gems #30

Hi in addition to welcome to my 30^th gems post. This is where I part unopen to of the best teaching ideas I've seen on Twitter.

1. Construction Comics
Back inward Gems 4 I featured Paul Collins' (comic resources for teaching constructions. In his post he suggests unopen to opportunities to role these resources inward the classroom.

One of Paul Collins' structure comic strips 

I haven't taught constructions this twelvemonth therefore I've non nonetheless had a peril to role these resources, or the awesome Gems 21).

I loved the function shared yesteryear my namesake Mrs Morgan (@em0rgan) on Twitter this week. She asked her students to do their ain structure comic strips for homework. The results facial expression excellent. I'm non ordinarily a fan of homeworks similar this because they're therefore fourth dimension consuming (both for students to attain in addition to teachers to mark) in addition to oftentimes they don't add together much value. But inward this instance I intend at that spot is value inward students learning the procedures yesteryear documenting the steps, inward add-on to practising the constructions.

2. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Level Resources

Thanks to @OxfordEdMaths for sharing a fix of excellent A degree assessments for C1 - C4, D1, D2, FP1, FP2, M1, M2, S1 in addition to S2. It tin move difficult to discovery sources of skilful Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 degree questions. These gratis resources are going to move incredibly helpful side yesteryear side twelvemonth for theme assessments, homeworks or revision.

Speaking of Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 degree resources, do banking enterprise gibe out the website 0a explains: Calculus (with pics in addition to gifs) -thanks to @mathhombre in addition to @solvemymaths for sharing this. I honey the pictures in addition to gifs on this website - they mightiness assist teachers explicate concepts inward calculus.

3. Homework Expectations
I've only discovered MathFour.com from Bon Crowder - it's total of creative ideas, unopen to of which I innovation to characteristic inward hereafter gems posts. One persuasion that I spotted was a 'How to Write Your Math Homework' guide. I'm going to brand a version of this for my novel classes inward September. I can't complain nearly my students' function non coming together my expectations if I haven't made those expectations clear from the outset.

4. Talk a Mile a Minute
Steve Wyborney (@SteveWyborney) shared his Talk a Mile a Minute Vocabulary Activity. The video below describes the action inward detail. It involves students describing sets of words to their partner in addition to therefore discussing what those words relate to. I intend this would move a nifty action for an halt of twelvemonth lesson. Have a facial expression at Steve's post for resources. If you're looking for words for this action therefore try this Vocabulary Checklist for Key Stage 3.  

5. Activities

I've seen unopen to lovely activities in addition to questions on Twitter this week.

@MathedUp shared this 'Negative numbers code-breaker action amongst a twist'.

Gems 29.

@DJUdall shared this action which links solving equations amongst surface area in addition to perimeter.

@DJUdall too shared a enquiry he made which combines Pythagoras' Theorem in addition to Standard Form. 

The latter 2 resources were shared during concluding Sunday's #mathsTLP. This is a nifty identify for maths teachers to collaborate. Do bring together inward on Sundays at 7pm to inquire for assist amongst lessons or to offering ideas.

Update
Because my examine classes are directly on report move out I had fourth dimension to innovation unopen to actually overnice lessons this week. With my Year 10s I did a lesson on similar triangles using resources from the Mathematics Assessment Project. They had to variety viii pairs of triangles into 'similar', 'not similar' or 'can't tell', drawing on their noesis of angle facts. This project is a lot harder than it sounds in addition to takes nearly 45 minutes to complete. I actually recommend it - here's an instance of the function they produced therefore y'all tin consider what it involves.

I talked to all my students nearly palindromic numbers this calendar week (I remembered to holler it every fourth dimension I wrote the appointment on the board, because the dates were palindromic when written inward the format m/dd/yy). Although many of my students could compass me an instance of a give-and-take that is the same forwards in addition to backward (eg racecar), most were non familiar amongst the give-and-take palindrome.

Those of y'all who role Gems 10) for formative assessment volition move pleased to listen that y'all tin directly insert pictures. For instance y'all mightiness desire to insert questions from www.diagnosticquestions.com.

That's it from me for now, but at that spot volition move unopen to other gems post shortly because there's been loads of nifty materials on Twitter lately. Wish me luck amongst my concluding calendar week at my electrical flow school! My novel project starts later half-term.

I'll move out y'all amongst this GCSE resource by thornn on TES (shared by @eggarsmaths on Twitter) which y'all mightiness discovery useful for concluding infinitesimal examine tips over the coming weeks.

5 Maths Gems #33

Hello as well as welcome to my 33^rd gems post. This is where I portion 5 education ideas I've seen on Twitter.

Well it's been fun education inwards this week's heatwave hasn't it?! I long for an air-conditioned classroom. Still, all this lovely sunshine serves every bit a prissy reminder that the summertime holidays are simply some the corner.

1. Pythagoras Pile Up
We've all seen the fantastic #mathsconf4 I was fortunate to listen a fantastic persuasion for education Fractions, Decimals as well as Percentages from Number Resources page.

This calendar week @solvemymaths shared a actually prissy persuasion for education estimator skills which comes from @Ms_Kmp's website mathssandpit.co.uk. Have a expect at her post 'Calculators: The New Hope' to download the resource. And cheers to @solvemymaths for his novel '7 Days of Maths' series, which is good worth following.

4. Maths Videos
Thanks to @mhorley for sharing a link to the BBC's Kick Sum Maths videos - I've non seen these before. They powerfulness come upwardly inwards handy to back upwardly the education of a break of Key Stage 2/3 topics.

5. Self-Descriptive Numbers
Thanks to @LearningMaths for sharing this lovely activity 'Self-descriptive numbers'.

If yous expect through the set of resources from which this activity comes as well as thus you'll encounter that there's enough of other bully materials inwards at that topographic point too.

If yous similar these resources as well as thus you'll beloved cleavebooks.co.uk/trol which is total of splendid activities. For illustration I've long been a fan of the Vocabulary Exercises which would function good inwards an information technology Room or amongst iPads.

Recommended Reading
Here's some links to banking concern jibe out:

• Bruno Reddy (MEI Conference, Pret homework, #mathsconf4 and Favourite Problems. My final gems post - Gems 32 - was 1 of my most pop posts ever.

Finally, I desire to portion a Don Steward activity that I institute peculiarly effective this week. I was running an Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 score induction session as well as decided to role the query below every bit a starter to brand a indicate well-nigh algebra skills. The algebra hither should live on straightforward for students who well-nigh to embark on Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 level, but some students struggled to position the answer. I made the indicate that if yous desire to produce Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 score Maths as well as thus this form of algebra should come upwardly really naturally. Strong algebra skills - ie the powerfulness to produce this activity effortlessly - should live on embedded yesteryear GCSE as well as are essential to every Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 score mathematician.