Resources

Raising the profile (click to view and download)

This book has been written partly in response to requests from colleagues and partly to try to restore the fun that used to be evident in primary maths. It’s called ‘Raising the Profile’ because that’s what the author hopes it will do - show children (and their families) and the wider school community that maths can be creative and thought provoking and something to talk about with enthusiasm.

How often do we hear maths as common topic of conversation outside the classroom? Not very often! Open-ended activities carefully chosen can use the skills and knowledge that each child, whether young or old, has already mastered. To have the whole school community working and talking for a while about one mathematical topic has unexpected pay-offs, as older children explain to younger ones and parents share the common theme too.
UK initiatives have emphasised the open nature of mathematics and the open nature of mathematical solutions. The challenges in this book are a logical extension of that but with the added freedom to explore, since there is no wrong way of meeting these challenges - only more or less inventive, or sophisticated, or careful.

The photocopiable sheets may be adapted for individual school use, and include help for interested grown-ups. Each time theme is supplemented with suggestions, for teachers, of introductory actives suitable for use in assemblies, and ideas for extension actives for children across the whole primary age range. The topics range across the whole maths curriculum and are purposely not linked to any levels, attainment targets, learning outcomes or objectives. How refreshing!

*Please note, the links have been removed from this eBook. Following any links contained in this publication is done so at your own risk.