Resources, musings & lesson ideas for teaching, learning & enjoying maths.
The teaching methods I use for solving equations have changed drastically over my (relatively short) career so far, so here’s a post about my journey so far and current “tried and tested” ideas. 1. Why animal algebra doesn’t workOne very clear memory I have of my time at school is the first term of work …
Teaching solving equations Read More »
I usually start work on factorising algebraic expressions with a critical look at what factorising actually is and a few reminders of prior learning about factors. I pop up this diagram when pupils enter the classroom, and get them to think about what it is showing. We then have a discussion and collect ideas. The slide represents …
Factorising linear expressions using algebra tiles Read More »
6:45am: Alarm goes off. Contemplate turning it off and going back to sleep – it is a Saturday after all. Somehow remove myself from bed and into shower. 7:15am: Showered and eating breakfast. Dad decides to start an in-depth conversation about learning maths and nearly makes me late! I don’t get to see my parents …
What did you do for Pi Day this year? Read More »
This was the first lesson I taught using algebra tiles (you can find out about them here) and it’s my go-to way to introduce completing the square now. It’s worth starting with a little work on factorising first, just so you don’t completely blow their minds. I start the lesson by considering representations of perfect …
Completing the square using algebra tiles Read More »
How I discovered algebra tiles I discovered algebra tiles last year when, in a fit of desperation, I took to the Internet to find a good way of teaching completing the square in a way that might actually get it to stick in the heads of my Year 11s. I’d previously completely failed and confused …
Why algebra tiles are the most amazing thing, like, ever Read More »
As Pi Day rolls round again, I’ve pinched one of my colleague’s “Pi Kits” and have now done this lesson with Year 7, 8 and 9 this week. It’s my favourite way of teaching circumference and area of a circle, both the first time pupils encounter it and as a reminder before teaching any new …
This was one of the first lessons I wrote in the first year of my teaching career, and is still one of my favourite ways to introduce pie charts. There’s also loads of scope for adding extra stuff in, such as work on fractions and percentages if appropriate for the group. Pupils begin by thinking …
Introducing pie charts using the average day Read More »
This is part of a series of blogs on my favourite way to teach adding and subtracting fractions in a way that sticks and really develops understanding of the process. Lesson 2 – The importance of equal-sized bars At the start of the next lesson, present pupils with two more sets of data, this time …
Introducing fraction arithmetic (2) Read More »
The lesson(s) detailed below have been absolutely groundbreaking for me in terms of teaching adding and subtracting fractions in a way that makes the topic stick and that pupils really understand. The ideas behind it were introduced to me as part of the NCETM’s Multiplicative Reasoning course (previously mentioned in my blog about bar modelling). Unfortunately, …
Introducing fraction arithmetic (1) Read More »
Just a quickie tonight to share the love for a few maths puzzle booklets I’ve found kicking around on the Internet. I’m not sure where they’ve come from originally, but here are the links: Maths Practice Puzzles : Fractions and DecimalsIncludes: Equivalent fractions Comparing and ordering fractions LCD and simplifying fractions Addition and subtraction (like …
Maths puzzles galore! Read More »