Help Santa and the elves order how much wood they need to make this batch of presents, but there are no calculators!

There are 10 fairly straightforward questions and four possible answers for each; students are expected to work the correct answer then explain how the other three answers are generated. Whilst the correct answer is shown in the presentation I have purposely not suggested how the incorrect answers were generated in order to encourage discussion and experimentation. I intend to use these as starters/plenaries but obviously you can use them (or not, as the case may be) however you like.

Find the letters with the listed probabilities and then unjumble to reveal a name. My attempt at doing something different with probability.

I’ve called this an “Advent” calendar as I couldn’t think of a better name, but I have little intention of using it in the run up to Christmas only. There are 24 questions which you can choose to display; students have a go and can then check their solutions with the model answer slide. Topics include forming/solving equations, estimating the mean, equations of lines, trigonometry, tree diagrams, transformations, standard form, angles, compound interest, bounds, geometric sequences, completing the square amongst other topics. Questions are from Edexcel past papers.

Three “Crack The Safe” activities on inequalities: on each on using a number line/integers that satisfy, solving and regions. These are designed for students to be able to self-check what they are doing as there are answer options available to them meaning that if their answer isn’t an option they have to go back and check. They also lead to nice discussions about how the incorrect answers were achieved, but ultimately these allow the teacher help those who require it whilst the others get on with some practice. I tend to use these as starters or plenaries but do use them as part of a main task.

Use the histogram shown to work out whether the statements are true or false in order to cut the wires and save the world!

KS4 Maths Revision worksheets: Directed Numbers, Sequences, Pythagoras and Trigonometry, Graphs & Charts, Factors, Multiples é Ratio, Equations é Formulae, Frequency Tables, Rounding, Estimationé Reciprocals, This is an attempt to make revision a little more interesting for those doing the modular OCR GCSE course. Calculate the answers, convert to letters and find my next destination on my 'Revision World Tour'.

The usual naff Christmas joke (invented by me) but also some C1 practice required to reveal the punchline. Error corrected on the final question.

Designed to help students become comfortable with algebra, this also covers inequalities including one "explosion" involving two inequality signs. Discussions could be had over simplifying and different ways to write them.

These are standard pyramids that lead to the punchline for a cheesy joke which should hopefully make them a little more desirable, but you never know. Typo corrected!

This moves through fairly easy to expanding two brackets via 8 different matching activities. This should give students the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and demonstrate their understanding.

How much space is inside each type of speaker made by Bang and Wallop? The technicians need to know so that they can fit all the electronics in. The first two sheets are foundation/KS3 shapes, the third sheet (Top of the Range) is the higher stuff.

Four “Crack The Safe” activities on fractions: adding/subtracting, multiplying/dividing, mixed numbers and fraction of an amount. Each contains six questions and ten possible answers. The reason behind this is to allow students to check their own answers whilst the teacher can spend time with anyone who requires more help. I find these work nicely as starters or plenaries but obviously you can use them however you like.

Two “Crack The Safe” activities on indices: one on index laws and one on fractional and negative indices. These contain six questions but ten possible answers meaning that students can self-check their answers (are they in the list of possible answers?) whilst the teacher can help those who require it. I use these as starters and plenaries but that is obviously up to you.

Eight problems involving angles in parallel lines, probability, averages, area/perimeter, ratio, Venn diagrams, percentage change, arithmetic/geometric sequences where to solve them you can use simultaneous equations. There is a question slide and a solution slide.

This does exactly what ot says on the tin; I want my classes to get used to using multipliers instead of “divide by 100, multiply by the percentage you want” in readiness for percentage calculations later on in the curriculum. This is not the most challenging but offers an opportunity for students find multipliers. It is a great joke mind you.

The usual: “do the thing, reveal the punchline to cheesy joke”. Students seem to like them (and some of my classes rate the jokes in their books).

Six questions and ten possible answers on bearings; this allows students to self-mark as if their answer does not appear then they need to check their work. I would tend to use these for starters or plenaries but obviously you have your own choice.

Four shapes on a coordinate grid each. Describe the transformation given the description of where the points have moved and which points are invariant.

This is a different way to allow students to gain some practice in short bursts and helps introduce fractional indices. The point is to generate discussion in class whilst the students do some work.