I taught in a range of schools for many years before moving into FE, where I found creative and imaginative approaches just as rewarding with adults. Most of my resources are concerned with giving control to the learner, through a range of methods. Some are great for just giving them experience of examination questions, and the chance to discuss these with other learners. I now concentrate on spreading the range of creations from UK KS1 to KS4, and across the Common Standards.
I taught in a range of schools for many years before moving into FE, where I found creative and imaginative approaches just as rewarding with adults. Most of my resources are concerned with giving control to the learner, through a range of methods. Some are great for just giving them experience of examination questions, and the chance to discuss these with other learners. I now concentrate on spreading the range of creations from UK KS1 to KS4, and across the Common Standards.
Two PowerPoint lessons on straight line graphs, covering all aspects of GCSE Foundation, then Higher Tier mathematics:
plot graphs of equations that correspond to straight-line graphs in the coordinate plane;
use the form y = mx + c to identify parallel and perpendicular lines;
find the equation of the line through two given points or through one point with a given gradient
identify and interpret gradients and intercepts of linear functions graphically and algebraically
Clear presentations with lots of opportunities for learner engagement, and great for use on Zoom or other distance learning opportunities. Can be used simultaneously with learners in a classroom and at home.
GCSE Maths Higher Speed Distance and Time questions in PowerPoint.
Some a bit easy, to keep the learners going, and some introducing other concepts, like bounds, gradients, and areas under a curve.
A new design for use in classroom discussions or on Zoom - questions on the left of the screen with a blank space on the right for filling in the answers - great for letting the learners try their answers to the tutor or the whole class.
Two versions - one with solutions after each slide, and one with solutions at the end.
Ratio can be difficult for the learners, and especially so since it has become a more significant element of GCSE.
Using tables to help structure the questions is a new and extremely useful approach, one that many learners have found beneficial.
The questions are all adapted and reconfigured from past papers, and although originally set at GCSE they are equally useful for KS3.
The files consist of a presentation to demonstrate the method, plus worksheets at both Foundation and Higher Tier. All files are also included as PDFs so will appear the same on any operating system.
If some of the questions look relatively easy, there can be a huge difference between papers - those aimed at the top grades and those questions aimed at the middle.
Presentation with 52 slides and around fifty questions covering basic concepts of percentages, including fractional and decimal equivalents. Simple questions to develop fluency, misconceptions to correct, simple applications and written problems. Each slide followed by solution slide.
Plus a clone of the questions in Word and as a PDF for further practise. So around 100 questions in total, with plenty of repetition and plenty of new questions slotted in. Plus answers for printing or otherwise.
Originally produced for Functional Skills Levels 1 & 2 but entirely suitable for other groups.
Easily editable into four different lessons for revisiting at a later date.
GCSE Higher Tier says ‘apply systematic listing strategies, including use of the product rule for counting (i.e. if there are m ways of doing one task and for each of these, there are n ways of doing another task, then the total number of ways the two tasks can be done is m × n ways)’.
A clear, colourful and carefully explained PowerPoint presentation building up the skills from simple matching problems to calculating combinations and permutations in a variety of realistic and original settings, with lots of opportunity for the learner to reflect, apply, and evaluate the problems.
Also available in my shop are two differentiated worksheets of adapted exam questions from sample and real GCSE assessments.
Plus a PDF version that will work on all operating systems.
Two sets of questions, differentiated by paper, for learners to complete. Plus answers.
Counting has always been on Foundation, so quite easy for learners.
Sophisticated counting strategies are new to the GCSE higher tier. The specs say:
apply systematic listing strategies, including use of the product rule for counting (i.e. if there are m ways of doing one task and for each of these, there are n ways of doing another task, then the total number of ways the two tasks can be done is m × n ways)
Hence also suitable for revision at A Level Statistics.
All questions follow the format of 2017 exams across the boards, and the SAMs and Mocks available.
Algebra on KS2 states:
find pairs of numbers that satisfy an equation with two unknowns
enumerate possibilities of combinations of two variables.
So I've created a presentation using graphical images for learners to exercise mathematical reasoning to solve missing number problems using all four rules. An accompanying worksheet/activity gives learners practice in the skills. Plus a second activity that has no words, just images, which makes it great for learners to talk to each other, and a PowerPoint presentation of the same problems allows the learners to share their thinking with the whole class. Hence can be used at any age above Year 5.
Two PowerPoint presentations, each of thirteen questions that are guaranteed to get the learners thinking and talking to each other. Great if used on an interactive whiteboard, with learners taking turns to tackle each problem.
Everything you need for teaching, learning and assessing ratio at KS4, GCSE.
Tests, presentations, classwork, homework, plus lots of exam style questions, duly adopted and adapted.
GCSE Ratio - four assorted assessment opportunities, all based on genuine GCSE questions and sample questions. Check in or check out quizzes, class test or homeworks, plus differentiated examples from 2017 exams, suitably altered to avoid learners seeing the real questions before mocks etc.
Practical and real-life examples of ratios in context for exploring the mathematics, including equal opportunities issues. Plus worksheets at both foundation and higher tier GCSE to give opportunity to practise skills.
Maths GCSE Ratio. Part (b) Reducing ratios into their simplest form.
Continuing with ratio, with lots of questions, also acting as a reminder and revision of KS3 Ratio. Plus plenty of genuine exam style questions.
Simply as is says - simplifying ratios, with PowerPoint introduction and follow-up worksheet.
Maths GCSE Ratio. Part (a) Dividing a given quantity into two parts
Introduction suitable for Foundation and Higher Tier, acting as a reminder and revision of KS3 Ratio.
Simply as is says - dividing into parts, with PowerPoint introduction and two sets of worksheets.
Questions culled and adapted from some very old papers, which means that none of the current learners will have seen these. Actually, very little changes, and although these are at the top end of the scale - some of the new ones may be even trickier, but these are great for getting the basics for Higher Tier.
Questions culled and adapted from some very old papers, which means that none of the current learners will have seen these. Actually, very little changes, although these are the more basic end of the scale - some of the new ones may be trickier, but these are great for the lower grades.
Introduction to surds and irrational numbers, surds in calculations, surds in trigonometry, surds investigations, surds in brackets, surds and rationalising the denominator. Presentations and worksheets, enough for two, three, maybe more lessons. All clearly presented, and based on current GCSE questions.
A full presentation, developing surds to show how to expand two brackets with surds, rationalising the denominator, and using the conjugate (difference of squares) to simplify expressions in number and algebra.
Plus two differentiated worksheets that give practice in application and reasoning.
Foundation tier now requires students to know the exact values in surd form of specific angles.
A simple and clear illustration of how to derive these values, and the values themselves.
Easy to use in the classroom, or print slides for crib sheets for learners.
The specs require:
'•know the exact values of sin θ and cos θ for θ = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°
•know the exact value of tan θ for θ = 0°, 30°, 45° and 60 ’
Includes a recap of the trig functions and Pythagoras, and the graphs of each function to show values at zero and ninety degrees, plus showing that tan 90 does not exist.
Plus an activity to use the above values in sin and cos sum and difference formulas, giving practice in manipulating surds for higher candidates, and an extension to use the addition and subtraction formula for tangent.
Hence entirely suitable for A’level pure mathematics, and recap of GCSE knowledge and skills.
If you like this, try my big bundle of material on surds for £3. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/maths-gcse-working-with-surds-huge-bundle-of-stuff-11551032
Fractions addition and subtraction - getting more complicated in Year 5, and suitable for revision in Year 6 or above.
'add and subtract fractions with the same denominator and denominators that are multiples of the same number'
Simple and colourful presentation in PowerPoint, with plenty of places to pause for class responses, and a single worksheet that gives learners practice in these skills.
