I am a retired head teacher with a passion for writing and discovering the most effective methods of helping children learn. My local primary school is Tonypandy and you will find me there two afternoons each week working with groups of children.
My main areas of focus are Maths with the emphasis on the early years and English, especially drama.
I am a retired head teacher with a passion for writing and discovering the most effective methods of helping children learn. My local primary school is Tonypandy and you will find me there two afternoons each week working with groups of children.
My main areas of focus are Maths with the emphasis on the early years and English, especially drama.
This PDF manual explains how to use our Cuisenaire rods software app.
Although created to support Child's Play Math it can be used as a stand alone creative educational app that children love.
Page 2 contains an access link to the software.
Originally created to support the Child's Play Math early years math program the app can be used effectively as a stand alone resource for students and teachers.
This is a 'how to' video that demonstrates the educational potential of the app.
The app can be accessed for free from Page 2 of the Cuisenaire Rods Software Guidelines PDF which is also available from my shop.
I hope you take advantage of the offer and enjoy!
Incidental Learning is the third video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math program.
The video discusses the vital importance of free play and explains what children learn incidentally when manipulating the rods.
This is the third of 63 videos that comprise a complete course for the introduction of math concepts to children from Kindergarten through Grade 5. It is designed so children can work at their own pace.
The course has also been used as an effective 'catch up' program for older children and adults who failed to grasp math concepts the first time round.
The hands on play based nature of the program enables children to learn the way that suits them best as it embraces all the learning styles.
Children using this program invariably acquire an understanding of concepts normally considered far too difficult for them.
Future videos will be made available in sets of four with accompanying Power Point Presentations.
‘About Cuisenaire Rods’ is the first video in the series supporting the Child’s Play Math program.
The series is comprised of over 60 videos and follows the program outlined in Child’s Play Math 1 & 2 providing practical tutorials using the accompanying software.
The program itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of math concepts. Understanding is achieved through play, games and open ended tasks and challenges.
It utilises Cuisenaire rods recognised as the most complete arithmetic manipulative ever devised.
The program is designed to introduce math to young children of around 5 years but can equally be introduced at any time ideally between the ages of 5 to 11.
Because of its unique approach that embraces all the learning styles children are invariably able to grasp concepts generally considered ‘too difficult’ for their age.
Child’s Play Math can also be utilised as an effective ‘catch up’ program for children and adults who failed to grasp math the first time round.
The first two videos are available for free.
The remaining videos will be made available in sets of four with the accompanying Power Point Presentations.
‘Cuisenaire Rods and the Traditional Approach to Teaching Math’ is the second video in the series supporting the Child’s Play Math program.
The series is comprised of over 60 videos and follows the program outlined in Child’s Play Math 1 & 2 providing practical tutorials using the accompanying software.
The program itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of math concepts. Understanding is achieved through play, games and open ended tasks and challenges.
It utilises Cuisenaire rods recognised as the most complete arithmetic manipulative ever devised.
The program is designed to introduce math to young children of around 5 years but can equally be introduced at any time ideally between the ages of 5 to 11.
Because of its unique approach that embraces all the learning styles children are invariably able to grasp concepts generally considered ‘too difficult’ for their age.
Child’s Play Math can also be utilised as an effective ‘catch up’ program for children and adults who failed to grasp math the first time round.
The first two videos are available for free.
The remaining videos will be made available in sets of four with the accompanying Power Point Presentations.
The latter part of the 21st century and the first fifteen years of the new millennium has seen more discoveries regarding the nature of the human brain than in all the previous history of mankind.
The implications for our children are staggering and have focused the attention of many educationalists around the world on the early years of child development
Learn about the amazing development of your child's brain in those first crucial six months of life.
More importantly discover how you can have a massively positive (or negative) influence on his development.
Algebra Before Arithmetic is the fourth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math program.
The video explains why it is far easier to introduce math concepts to young children using letter names (algebra) rather than number.
This is the first of 63 videos that comprise a complete course for the introduction of math concepts to children from Kindergarten through Grades 1-5 . It is designed so children can work at their own pace. The first four videos are available for free.
Future videos will be made available in sets of four with the accompanying Power Point Presentations.
The course has also been used as an effective 'catch up' program for older children and adults who failed to grasp math concepts the first time round.
The hands on play based nature of the program enables children to learn the way that suits them best as it embraces all the learning styles.
Children using this program invariably acquire an understanding of concepts considered far too difficult for them.
A Science in Drama play script for Key Stage 2.
Theme: Ecology and Pollution
Why has the pond suddenly become plagued with frogs? Are the rumours of the deadly black slime true? Will Pond Snail escape the clutches of Mr and Mrs Water Spider? Can the Tadpoles trust Great Diving Beetle? What happened to Kingfisher? Can they all escape the deadly black SLIME?
For use in your school or organization.
Birdflight is a Science in Drama play script for Key Stage 2 children.
Theme: Migration
Young Red start is discovering what a dangerous world he inhabits. Old Crow has told him tales of fearsome creatures like Sparrow Hawk, Stoat and the deadly Pine Marten who once hunted through the trees like a dark shadow. Yet there is one danger he cannot escape. A danger he must face with family and friends afresh each year or perish when the freezing white death descends upon the land. Is he ready to undertake the great adventure of migration?
For use within your own school or organization.
A Science in Drama play script for Key Stage 2 THEME: Electricity
When Sherlock Ohms is summoned to Magnet Manor by the mysterious Mr A.T.Mos he senses devilry afoot. His suspicions are further aroused upon learning that five of the wealthiest men in the world have also received similar invitations. Accompanied by his loyal companion Dr Watts-On he travels to the remote island unaware of the tragic events that will shortly unfold. As one by one the guests fall victim to the evil A.T.Mos can Ohms solve the mystery and uncover the evil perpetrator before there is no one left standing?
For use in your own school or organization.
A Christmas play script for KS 2 children.
Christmas is coming and the Royal House of Bumble is in turmoil.
While the King and Sir Boris the Bold set about restoring the Ancient Order of Knighthood, Queen Ammoania is feverishly attempting to find a suitor for the princess. Meanwhile, having escaped from the clutches of Prince Rupert and his gang, dastardly Baron Grime hatches a fiendishly clever plot that is in danger of coming undone, literally.
When an Abominable Snowman is sighted in Bumblebania and Aunt Grimwalda arrives unannounced for the wedding it looks as if things cannot get any worse.
But appearances can be deceptive because the children’s Christmas party looms large on the Royal horizon.
Christmas At Bumble Castle may be reproduced for performances within your own school or organization. Ideal for group reading or as a full blown production, or why not be creative and produce an audio version? How you use it is up to you.
A Christmas at Bumble Castle is one of the'Chronicle of Bumblebania' series.
Important Words and Phrases, is the fifth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program. The video explains the specific vocabulary children need to be familiar with before mathematical concepts are introduced. The vocabulary can be introduced during free play and directed activity sessions.The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the program outlined in Child's Play Math 1 & 2. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The program itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of math concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The program utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Math is designed to introduce math concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp math concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Videos will subsequently be available in groups of four on a monthly basis. Together they comprise a full year’s course.
Staircases is the ninth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program. The video explains why staircases created with the Cuisenaire Rods are such potent mathematical constructions.The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the program outlined in Child's Play Math 1 & 2. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The program itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of math concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The program utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Math is designed to introduce math concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp math concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Language Development and Maths is the thirteenth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Maths programme. The video reveals how the programme assists children’s language development.The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the programme outlined in Child's Play Maths. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The programme itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of maths concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The programme utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Maths is designed to introduce maths concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp maths concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Videos will subsequently be available in groups of four on a monthly basis. Together they comprise a full year’s course.
Introducing Signs: Equivalence = is the sixteenth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Maths programme. The video explains how to introduce the foundational mathematical concept of equivalence.The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the programme outlined in Child's Play Maths. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The programme itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of maths concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The programme utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Maths is designed to introduce maths concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp maths concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Videos will subsequently be available in groups of four on a monthly basis. Together they comprise a full year’s course.
Introducing Signs: 'Greater Than' > 'Less Than' < < /b> is the fifteenth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program. The video explains how to introduce the concept ‘greater than’ and ‘less than’.The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the program outlined in Child's Play Math 1 & 2. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The program itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of math concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The program utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Math is designed to introduce math concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp math concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Videos will subsequently be available in groups of four on a monthly basis. Together they comprise a full year’s course.
Cinderella’s Staircase is the eleventh video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program. The video explains how ‘staircases’ can be extended beyond the first ten colours/numbers to infinity.
The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the program outlined in Child's Play Math 1 & 2. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The program itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of math concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The program utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Math is designed to introduce math concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years,. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp math concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Videos will subsequently be available in groups of four on a monthly basis. Together they comprise a full year’s course.
Developing Memory Recall, is the sixth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Maths 1 & 2 programme. This video reveals the Learning Equation and how the programme will develop a child’s ability to retain what he has learnt.
The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the programme outlined in Child's Play Maths 1 & 2. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The programme itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of maths concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The programme utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Maths is designed to introduce maths concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' programme for older children or adults who struggled to grasp maths concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Videos will subsequently be available in groups of four on a monthly basis. Together they comprise a full year’s course.
