An ICT resource for teaching mental maths

Some practical ideas and activities for parents to help their children develop mathematical thinking and confidence. The activities require no specialist mathematical knowledge or equipment beyond that found in most homes.

A fascinating question and one that teachers would probably answer with 'more knowledge than we have now!' That alone is reason to share this vast wealth of understanding in the world, and really begin to learn from each other. Knowledge and understanding are not learned in isolation for in collaboration we can achieve much more. Teachers cannot possibly know all the answers to the questions children ask but it is their responsibility to equip learners with the thirst, skills and opportunities to be able to find out - and not simply through a Google search either.

This article explores this approach with Key Stage 1 pupils in a Hampshire infant school.

In this article we are looking at a piece of software that has the potential to support Lego-related activities at Key Stage 1 and beyond: BlockCAD, available from: http://web.telia.com/~u16122508/proglego.htm

Crossley Heath have used their Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in so many ways to improve teaching, the delivery of the curriculum as well as the enjoyment of learning taking place. The following description highlights the way the schools secure email system is being used to help students make dramatic improvements in the quantity and quality of assignments set.

This article gives some ideas for teaching young children about fruit. In particular it utilises the Find the Pairs game on the Naace website. This is not a whole scheme of work on fruit. It focuses on one particular aspect and suggests possible extensions. There are further resources listed at the end of the article.

When most people take their cameras on holiday it is to capture memories of somewhere picturesque or a place that holds special memories. For many teachers a picturesque or quaint location can hold a different meaning and we come home armed with pictorial resources to support our teaching in the coming year.
Roger Keeling and Rhona Dick show how to make mathematical capital from some photos of colourful beach huts.

The authors describe the adventure game, Zoombinis Logical Journeys, and explain how this software can help to develop critical thinking skills of the kind that are useful across the curriculum and in many areas of life.

This article describes how the school environment is used to develop science, geography, ICT and maths skills within the context of a 'weather' topic.

This is a report of the many small steps two able boys took over the course of a week in developing their understanding of 3-D shape and their use of spreadsheets to support this.