Here are some of my go-to places for resources in a lesson. Most of these are free, unless otherwise stated.
Models and Manipulatives:
Maths Bot – You need to check this out. By far and away the best place on the internet to get visualisations of manipulatives. This site is ideal if you are in a context where getting out cuisinere rods or double sided counters seems unrealistic or maybe you just want to model how to use them on the board. No login required, play around with it in planning time and you will realise how much it has to offer.
Question Banks:
Corbett Maths – Corbett maths is a great website and it is well worth having a good dig around. A lot of people like the 5-a-days which are a useful tool for revision of previously learnt topics. But I particularly like the textbook exercises. I like the fact that there is a lot of practice at a really granular level with each question introducing a new small specific idea. But also in the second section there are often some nice ideas for problems and applications of the maths, linking it to other areas or disguising the maths in context. I don’t often present an entire worksheet at once, but snip sections of it into my lessons.
Maths Genie – A great place for GCSE and A level revision with exam style questions organised by topic. A simple website for students to use independently too. Remember that when supporting students with revision they also need to be able to choose which skill or idea to apply, they can’t only practice the topics in isolation.
Variation Theory – This one is great for the early stages of introducing a topic. Craig Barton (whose podcast you should listen to by the way) writes extensively about how to use these resources. Engage with that he has written, don’t just display the questions on the board and run with it thoughtlessly. Used well these lesson blocks are great. You do need to be a bit of a magpie, these vary in quality.
Teaching Inspiration:
Resourceaholic – This was my absolute go-to as a new teacher and I still pop back to it when I hit a creative block. Jo has organised a wealth of mathematical resources by topic. She also writes regular “Maths Gems” posts picking out highlights from the online maths community – these are a must read for any maths teacher. Don’t let a resource determine your entire planning but if you are looking for inspiration go to Jo.
Problem Solving resources:
MEDIAN Don Stewart – The late great Don Stewart. It completely took me aback when it was announced Don had passed away. This was one of the first resources introdcued to me by my TF mentor and first HoD (shout out Dr Sterno). It completely levelled up my idea of the level of challenge we should expect from our students. This website is a compendium of problems and challenges that can be provided around often very simple mathematical ideas. The website can be awkward to use or search so you have to be patient. If you are using these tasks make sure you have done them before the lesson, Don would hide layers of maths that you wouldn’t expect in the most unusual of ways. Don was a legend of the maths teaching community and I hope this website is never archived.
Mathematical Venns– Craig Barton has to be one of the most generous maths teachers in the community. His mathematical Venn diagrams are a good, simple way to introduce depth to simple ideas. We talk about differentiation (the teaching one not the calculus one) with low barriers to entry and high levels of stretch and these resources are a classic example of that. Don’t use worksheet bingo printing off dozens of worksheets to increase challenge, try using a Venn.
Online Learning Platforms
Dr Frost Maths – my go to place for sets of questions. I am lucky to work in a school where ipads are common among students and we have put the effort into behaviour that the novelty of the things has pretty much worn out. We can use these online systems well and collect data over time without it being a massive spredsheet entering headache. Dr Jamie Frost has collated and organised thousands of questions from all manner of sources (exam boards, UKMT, A level, GCSE and his departments own creations) ready to be used in class and for homework. Check back in regularly he improves it about as often as I am able to log in. I can’t quite believe something this good is free!
Hegarty maths– if your school has made the investment (the downside is the cost) then go in the whole hog. Thousands of videos and question sets from the very earliest parts of secondary maths (and before) right through to difficult GCSE topics all broken down into bitesize chunks. Perfect for students working at home. It will only work if it becomes part of a routine for students.
Mr Brown says 