A short investigation based on a lovely puzzle I saw a while ago. Requires only knowledge of square numbers to investigate and enjoy, but pupils will need to be able to expand double brackets to understand a proof of the puzzle. Could be used with any age!

Two activities finding missing angles, one using rules for parallel lines and the other using circle theorems. The intention is that pupils are presented with step-by-step solutions in the form of a cartoon strip, and have to identify the rule used to do each step of the solution.

A challenging set of puzzles, that mainly require pupils to use their knowledge of the properties and area rule of a parallelogram, but also involve finding areas of triangles. Includes a few ideas adapted from other sources, one of which is Don Steward’s superb Median blog, the other I’m afraid I can’t remember. Please review if you like it, or even if you don’t!

A presentation to get pupils thinking a about the origins of the metric system. There’s quite a lot of information in there, but I think its interesting so I’m going to make my pupils look at it! There are no worksheets or ‘usual’ metric questions, but I’ve put some follow up questions and possible activities in the comments boxes on each slide. Please let me know if you have any better ideas as mine are a bit lame. Most of the information is taken from Wikipedia so please let me know if you see any innacuracies!

A simple but adaptable interactive picture quiz in powerpoint to dress up asking questions - ideal for starters or plenaries. Think Catchphrase but with 2 different images for 2 teams and pictures of anything you fancy. You provide the questions. See separate instructions.

Hard to describe! Shows how the functions sin and cos effect the trajectory of a cricket ball. A nice real-life example of SOHCAHTOA and the trigonometric functions. Includes some challenging questions at the end. Could be used to revise/demonstrate the curves of sin and cos at GCSE or introduce component form in A-Level Mechanics.

A challenging set of puzzles involving equivalent fractions, probably best for high ability secondary groups. Also offers pupils practice of using divisibility tests, simplifying fractions and working systematically. Please review if you like it, or even if you don’t!

A complete lesson designed to be used to consolidate pupils’ ability to add and subtract a negative number. Activities included: Starter: Some straight forward questions to test if they can remember the basic methods and help identify misconceptions. Main: A set of differentiated questions to give pupils a bit more practice. A game adapted from the nrich website. A closer look at the design of the game, with pupils making a sample space diagram. Plenary: Some final questions to prompt discussion and reflection on how to remember the rules used. Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review if you use this!

Inspired by something similar I saw on Don Steward's Median blog, a set of non-calculator questions that reward pupils for applying the basic index laws before trying to work out the answer.

A challenging activity on the theme of triangle area, suitable for year 11 revision. The initial questions require a knowledge of basic triangle area, Pythagoras’ theorem, SOHCAHTOA, the sine rule and 1/2absinC so a good, challenging revision task. The questions have been designed with a ‘minimally diferent’ element, to draw pupils attention to how subtle changes can have significant implications for selecting methods. There are some follow-up questions, that could be used to shift the focus of the activity. I’d love to hear anyone’s suggestions of further questions.

Pupils are given two fractions as the start of a sequence, and try to extend it. Could be made easier or introduced using integers rather than fractions, maybe with some decimals and negatives in between. Works as either a ‘low floor high ceiling’ task, or as a way of revising different sequence types and also decimals, negatives and fractions. Particularly for the quadratic sequence, there’s scope to spend time looking at the algebra needed to find solutions. Please let me know if you can think of any other ways to extend the task!

A powerpoint with worksheets on the profit parabola model. A nice rich task to use with high-ability GCSE students, to deepen their understanding of quadratic functions/maximum points and also to see a real-life application of maths.

A hyperlinked list of geogebra interactives I’ve found on a range of maths topics. Not made by me, I’m just sharing in case people find them useful.

An always, sometimes, never activity looking at various properties of triangles (angles, sides, perimeter, area, symmetry and a few more). Includes a wonderfully sneaky (but potentially confusing!) example of triangle area sometimes being the product of the lengths of all three sides. A good way of stimulating discussion, revising a range of topics and exposing misconceptions. Please review and give feedback, whether you like the activity or whether you don’t!

An excel file that shows pi as the ratio of circumference / diameter for a circle

A GSP file (requires Geometer's Sketchpad software to open) which measures, for a right-angled triangle, the sides and ratios sin, cos and tan. The triangle can be changed dynamically. Also shows the graphs of the ratios. Could be used to introduce trigonometric ratios, explain the graphs of sine, cosine and tangent up to 90 degrees or to generate questions on SOHCAHTOA.

Are you bored of telling students what calculator to get for secondary school maths? Then use this poster!

A game to get pupils using key words and help them develop a greater appreciation of the important features of a diagram. I’ve created a series of simple images using two, three or four lines. Pupils cut these into individual cards, then take it in turns to pick one and describe the image to the other. The other sketches what they think the image looks like. They then reveal and discuss any differences. The game could be extended by pupils designing their own images, or used on other topic, eg circle theorems. As a bonus, they can finish off with a bit of route inspection! If anyone has a more catchy name for the game I’m open to suggestions!

A complete lesson on introducing 3-figure bearings. Activities included: Starter: A quick set of questions to remind pupils of supplementary angles. Main: A quick puzzle to get pupils thinking about compass points. Slides to introduce compass points, the compass and 3-figure bearings. Examples and questions for pupils to try on finding bearings fro m diagrams. A set of worksheets with a progression in difficulty, from correctly measuring bearings and scale drawings to using angle rules to find bearings. Includes some challenging questions involving three points, that should promote discussion about different approaches to obtaining an answer. Plenary: A prompt to discuss how the bearings of A from B and B from A are connected. Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson (or maybe two) on finding an original amount, given a sale price or the value of something after it has been increased. Looks at both calculator and non-calculator methods. Activities included: Starter: A set of four puzzles where pupils work their way back to 100%, given another percentage. Main: Examples, quick questions for pupils to try and a worksheet on calculator methods for reversing a percentage problem. Examples, quick questions for pupils to try and a worksheet on non- calculator methods for reversing a percentage problem. Both worksheets have been scaffolded to help pupils with this tricky topic. A challenging extension task where pupils form and solve equations involving connected amounts. Plenary: A final question to address the classic misconception for this topic. Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!