Resources, musings & lesson ideas for teaching, learning & enjoying maths.
So I had one of those lessons today that reminds me exactly how great this job can be. I snuck in an extra blog over half term about using Cuisenaire rods to introduce algebraic expressions with Year 7, and I guinea-pigged the lesson with them today – it worked so well, and I imagine would have been even better …
Cuisenaire rods and introducing algebra Read More »
For my remaining full week, I’m going to try and post one rich resource and discussion. I found a nice prompt yesterday in a pack of really old investigations, and thought I’d look into it in a little more detail today. I’d got this filed under HCF and LCM, and have no idea of the …
Grid lines – investigating HCF and LCM Read More »
End of half term and back to school tomorrow – I’m keeping myself going with the thought that it’s only a really short one until Easter! What went well: Lots of time to work on my website, upload plenty of new resources and also get our KS3/4 scheme redrafted and finalised. Met plenty of estate …
Half-term self assessment Read More »
Pinched this idea from @stephenconnor7 … What were you like at school? I grew up and went to school in Staffordshire, which had a three-tier system. In Primary and Middle schools, I worked really hard most of the time and, despite not enjoying school when I first started, loved most of my subjects by the end of …
Today’s prompt got me thinking about use of technology and continuing advantages of pencil and paper methods, even with the leaps and bounds in computing. I like to think of myself as being fairly computer-literate, but I found the sketch today a real challenge – I did it on my tablet, using the Bamboo Paper …
#teacher5adaysketch – Use a tablet or computer Read More »
I apologise in advance for this – I’ve just done it in the only half-hour I have spare all day. All morning and most of the afternoon was spent in the garden, painting the outside of the house and both front and back doors, and husband and I are off to games night at a …
#teacher5adaysketch – Film or book Read More »
Today’s prompt was “choose a piece of art with one idea of you might use it in the classroom”. As a maths teacher, I’ve predictably picked my favourite piece of artwork by M.C. Escher – when I was little, someone bought me a postcard book of his work, and I still have the postcards in …
#teacher5adaysketch – Choose a piece of art Read More »
Images created using NRich Cuisenaire Rods interactive. Blog posts about this resource here and here.
Writing algebraic expressions using Cuisenaire rods Read More »
I’ve spent quite a bit of time so far over half term working on the resource areas of my site – one topic I was keen to get a few more resources for was writing algebraic expressions and using correct algebraic notation, as I’m teaching this to Year 7 after half term and my collection was looking …
Cuisenaire rods for algebraic expressions Read More »
So today’s prompt is “sketch your favourite pair of school shoes”. This was pretty easy, as I only have one pair. I can’t stand wearing heels at school, so flats are my go-to. They are a little boring, but very comfortable – let’s save the giraffe-esque sandals for the weekend, eh? Here’s a picture of the actual …
#teacher5adaysketch – My school shoes Read More »