A complete lesson for first teaching how to compare fractions using common denominators. Intended as a precursor to both ordering fractions and adding or subtracting fractions, as it requires the same skills. Activities included: Starter: Some quick questions to test if pupils can find the lowest common multiple of two numbers. Main: A prompt to generate discussion about different methods of comparing the size of two fractions. Example question pairs on comparing using equivalent fractions, to quickly assess if pupils understand the method. A set of straightforward questions with a progression in difficulty. A challenging extension where pupils find fractions halfway between two given fractions. Plenary: A question in context to reinforce the key skill and also give some purpose to the skill taught in the lesson. Optional worksheets (ie no printing is really required, but the option is there if you want) and answers included. Please review if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson for first teaching the concept of equivalent fractions. Activities included: Starter: Some ‘fill the blank’ multiplication and division questions (basic, but a prerequisite for finding equivalent fractions with a required denominator or numerator). Main: Visual examples using shapes to introduce concept of equivalent fractions. A worksheet where pupils use equivalent fractions to describe the fraction of a shape. Examples and quick-fire questions on finding an equivalent fraction. A worksheet with a progression in difficulty on finding an equivalent fraction. A challenging extension task where pupils look at some equivalent fractions with a special property. Plenary: A statement with a deliberate misconception to stimulate discussion and check pupils have understood the key concepts. Worksheets and answers included. Please review if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

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!

A complete lesson for introducing the area rule for a triangle. Activities included: Starter: Questions to check pupils can find areas of parallelograms (I always teach this first, as it leads to an explanation of the rule for a triangle). Main: A prompt to get pupils thinking (see cover image) Examples and a worksheet where pupils must identify the height and measure to estimate area. Examples and a worksheet where pupils must select the relevant information from not-to-scale diagrams. Simple extension task of pupils drawing as many different triangles with an area of 12 as they can. Plenary: A sneaky puzzle with a simple answer that reinforces the basic area rule. Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson of area puzzles. Designed to consolidate pupils’ understanding of the area rules for rectangles, parallelograms, triangles and trapeziums, but in an interesting, challenging and at times open-ended way. Activities included: Starter: Some questions to check pupils are able to use the four area rules. Main: A set of 4 puzzles with a progression in difficulty, where pupils use the area rules, but must also demonstrate a knowledge of factors and the ability to test combinations systematically in order to find the answers. Plenary Pupils could peer-assess or there could be a whole-class discussion of the final puzzle, which is more open-ended. Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on a mixture of area and circumference of circles. Designed to come after pupils have used area and circumference rules forwards (eg to find area given radius) and backwards (eg to find radius given area). Activities included: Starter: Questions to check pupils are able to use the rules for area and circumference. Main: A set of four ‘mazes’ (inspired by TES user alutwyche’s superb spider puzzles) with a progression in difficulty, where pupils use the rules forwards and backwards. A ‘3-in-a-row’ game for pupils to compete against each other, practicing the basic rules. Plenary: Questions to prompt a final discussion of the rules. Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson (or maybe two) for introducing the circumference rule. Activities included: Starter: Prompts for pupils to discuss and share definitions for names of circle parts. Main: Link to an online geogebra file (no software required) that demonstrates the circumference rule. Quickfire questions to use with mini whiteboards. A worksheet of standard questions with a progression in difficulty. A set of four challenging problems in context, possibly to work on in pairs. Plenary: Pupils could discuss answers with another pair, or there could be a whole-class discussion of solutions (provided) Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on areas of composite shapes involving circles and/or sectors. Activities included: Starter: A matching activity using logic more than area rules. Main: Two sets of challenging questions. Opportunity for pupils to be creative/artistic and design their own puzzles. Plenary: Discussion of solutions, or pupils could attempt each other’s puzzles. Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on finding the area of a sector. Activities included: Starter: Collect-a-joke starter on areas of circles to check pupils can use the rule. Main: Example-question pairs, giving pupils a quick opportunity to try and receive feedback. A straight-forward worksheet with a progression in difficulty. A challenging, more open-ended extension task where pupils try to find a sector with a given area. Plenary: A brief look at Florence Nightingale’s use of sectors in her coxcomb diagrams, to give a real-life aspect. Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson (or maybe two) for introducing the area rule of a circle. Activities included: Starter: A mini-investigation where pupils estimate the area of circles on a grid. Main: Quickfire questions to use with mini whiteboards. A worksheet of standard questions with a progression in difficulty. A set of three challenging problems in context, possibly to work on in pairs. Plenary: Link to a short video that ‘proves’ the area rule very nicely. Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson for introducing the trapezium area rule. Activities included: Starter: Non-calculator BIDMAS questions relating to the calculations needed to area of a trapezium. A good chance to discuss misconceptions about multiplying by a half. Main: Reminder of shape properties of a trapezium Example-question pairs, giving pupils a quick opportunity to try and receive feedback. A worksheet of straight forward questions with a progression in difficulty, although I have also built in a few things for more able students to think about. (eg what happens if all the measurement double?) A challenging extension task where pupils work in reverse, finding measurements given areas. Plenary: Nice visual proof of rule by relating to the rule for the area of a parallelogram. Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson for introducing the area rule of a parallelogram. Activities included: Starter: A couple of area mazes to remind them of the rule for rectangles. Main: A prompt for pupils to discuss or think about what a parallelogram is, followed by 2 questions, where pupils are shown a set of shapes and have to identify which ones are parallelograms. Animated examples showing the classic dissection and rearrangement of a parallelogram into a rectangle, leading naturally to a derivation of the area rule. Animated examples of using a ruler and set square to measure the base and perpendicular height, before calculating area. A worksheet where pupils must do the same. This is worth doing now, to make pupils think carefully about perpendicular height, rather than just multiplying given dimensions together. Examples and a worksheet where pupils must select the relevant information from not-to-scale diagrams. Extension task of pupils using knowledge of factors to solve an area puzzle. Plenary: Spot the mistake discussion question. Nice animation to show why the rule works. Link to an online geogebra file (no software required) with a lovely alternative dissection of a parallelogram Printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on using knowledge of gradient to find the equation of a line perpendicular to a given line. Nothing fancy, but provides clear examples, printable worksheets and answers for this tricky topic. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on finding the gradient of a line that is perpendicular to another. Intended as a precursor to finding equations of lines perpendicular to another. Examples, a range of challenging activities and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on using knowledge of gradient to find the equation of a line parallel to a given line. Examples, activities, printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on using knowledge of gradient and y-intercept to plot a line, given its equation. Progresses from positive integer gradients to fractional and/or negative gradients. Examples, printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on using knowledge of gradient and y-intercept to find the equation of a line. Progresses from positive integer gradients to fractional and/or negative gradients. Examples, printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on identifying the y-intercept of a linear function. Intended as a precursor to using gradient and y-intercept to plot a linear function, but after pupils have plotted graphs with a table of values (ie they have seen equations of lines already). A good way of getting pupils to consider gradient without formally being ‘taught’ it. Activities included: Starter: A puzzle about whether two boats (represented on a grid) will collide. Main: Examples and three worksheets on the theme of identifying y-intercept. The first could just be projected and discussed - pupils simply have to read the number off the y-axis. The second is trickier, with two points marked on a grid, and pupils extend this (by counting squares up and across) until they reach the y-axis. The third is a lot more challenging, with the coordinates of 2 points given on a line, but no grid this time (see cover image). Could be extended by giving coordinates of two points, but one either side of the y-axis (although I’m going to do a whole lesson on this as a context for similarity, when I have time!) Plenary: A look at how knowing the equation of a line makes finding the y-intercept very easy. Examples, printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on using a table of values to plot a linear function. Nothing fancy, but provides clear examples, printable worksheets and answers. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!

A complete lesson on the concept of an equation of a line. Intended as a precursor to the usual skills of plotting using a table of values or using gradient and intercept. Examples, printable worksheets and answers included. Please review it if you buy as any feedback is appreciated!