Breaking Up with Formulae: Ratio Tables are “The One”

A write up of my MathsConf38 session on the use of ratio tables to support the development the conceptual understanding of algebraic drect and inverse proportion relationships. A little late, after starting a new job the same week and a busy summer... but finally written!

Ratio Tables: Moving to Generalisation

I have been raving about the utility of ratio tables for a couple of years now, and in my last MathsConf session I showed the versatility of them for topics across the curriculum. I ended with a snapshot of how I use them for algebraic direct proportion questions. People went a bit mad for it, and since then the biggest questions I have had have been about how to extend this idea, so I decided it was high time to share the specifics some more.

Year 11 Exam Prep: The Staple Challenge

I've been tweeting about "The Staple Challenge" for a few months now, and the rationale behind it is really quite hard to fit into short tweets. So I thought a blog was in order!

Completion Tables (feat. Jonny Hall)

On Monday night, I crashed Jonny Hall's (@StudyMaths) session at MathsConfOnline where he talked about "How completion tables have changed [his] life". Though he admits it is a slight exaggeration, it really isn't an exaggeration to say that working with Jonny this past few months, particularly while he's been obsessed with these tables has revolutionised my task-making and task-using abilities.

Ratio Tables Across the Curriculum

Yesterday, at MathsConf28 in Gloucester, I shared my obsession with Ratio Tables as a tool for multiplicative thinking. It followed on from my session back at MathsConf24 where I talked about using ratio tables for teaching compound measures.

MathsConf14

It has been a while since I have blogged! I've had lots and lots of ideas for things to write about, but have been struggling to put the words in this little box. However, if something was going to inspire me, it was attending another MathsConf! I made the last minute decision to grab a … Continue reading MathsConf14

The Counting Principle – 9-1 GCSE Content

In the interests of making my blog more reflective and useful as a T&L tool for myself (and others if they so wish!) I thought it may be nice to talk about some of the lessons I have taught and strategies I am using in the classroom. This is my first attempt at doing so! … Continue reading The Counting Principle – 9-1 GCSE Content

#summaths

August Bank Holiday Sunday 2017 - glorious sunshine, lots of mathematicians and a spot of codebreaking... What more could you ask for? The first part of this story actually happened a few months ago, and once again highlights the absolute brilliance of Teacher Twitter. After my initial excitement of having an excuse to go down … Continue reading #summaths

NQT Year Resolutions

I've seen a few of these 'New (School) Year resolutions' going around, whether that be blogged or on Twitter (including #teacherpledge by Emma Bell) so I thought I would have a think about my own. I know that this year is going to be hard in 1000 ways that the PGCE wasn't, and easier than … Continue reading NQT Year Resolutions

All the weeks… Because I have been too busy to blog.

God, I don't even remember the last time I sat down to write a blog! The past few weeks have been a total blur of planning, teaching, evaluating, assignment writing and lack of sleep. But I am absolutely loving it. My first block placement is officially over! Its gone so fast, and it's really worrying … Continue reading All the weeks… Because I have been too busy to blog.