There are always some students who are harder to engage and motivate than others.  Which raises the question – what can be done to get them interacting in maths lesson?

There are many answers available, but one is rather simple, although also rather surprising.  It is Bingo – adapted to include questions on equations, percentages, angles, formulae, ratio, expanding brackets….

Indeed Bingo in this approach is an interesting way to get the students excited (yes, genuinely excited) and involved in the lesson and is suitable for all abilities and age groups for it uses the enjoyment of playing a familiar game to reinforce understanding and is totally maths focussed. 

Which is why we have produced the Multi bingo CD.

It was developed to use as a starter or plenary game within maths lessons, but has since proved to be very effective when used as part of a revision session for a large group of students. 

The resource allows you to create your own selection of ‘questions’ and ‘answers’.  You have control over how many questions/answers/numbers are to be used.  You can make the questions as easy or as difficult as you like.  Examples of all the subject areas listed above (and many more) are included. 

This resource is also available as a PDF download or as a PDF or editable Word file on a CD.  The price of £29.99 + VAT is the same for all formats. 

Once purchased the CD can be freely copied and networked throughout the school.

To see sample pages please email sales@classroom-resources.co.uk quoting the order code 10085.

You can order the MultiBINGO CD in any of these ways: 

• On our website
• By phone on 0117 940 6409
• By fax on 0117 940 6408
• By email (quoting a school order number) to sales@classroom-resources.co.uk
• By post to: Classroom Resources, PO Box 1489, Bristol, BS99 3QJ

One of the best things about Christmas time for me is to see the school hall and classrooms decorated with the children’s displays. 

I don’t think there’s anything better to get you in the Christmas spirit than to walk into the hall every day to see the pupils’ work on display.

However when it comes to the displays, there are two schools of thought. 

The first is to put up the same (or at least a similar) display each year, so that children become familiar with and feel at ease with the decorations that each room will have.

The second is to consider this as a perfect opportunity for children to be challenged and excited through an exploration of different ways of decorating each area every year.  

Of course it can be argued that while some children like familiarity and may spend the weeks leading up to Christmas looking forward to making certain displays, others may prefer a challenge and will want to produce something new and exciting.  In other words, it might all just be a matter of personal choice.

But nevertheless, if you do indeed fancy exploring a new approach then I think it is fair to say you will be knocked over by some of the designs and projects shown and described in our Step by Step Art 5 – Christmas in the Classroom art book.

It contains 64 pages of ideas and full colour illustrations covering everything from stars and candles, to plastic spoon angels, the Nativity and stained glass windows to corrugated paper trees.  Optional themes and suggested colour schemes are also included to help enhance the impact.

It’s easy to follow and can be used with primary school children of all ages. 

Sample pages are available from our website.

• If you would like to know more please call 01772 863158
• Or email enquiries@topical-resources.co.uk

As always, you can order in any of these ways:

• On our website
• By phone on: 01772 863158
• By fax: 01772 866153
• By email: Sales@topical-resources.co.uk
• By post: Topical Resources, P.O. Box329, Broughton, Preston, Lancashire PR3 5LT

Topical Resources
P.O. Box329
Broughton
Preston
Lancashire
PR3 5LT

www.topical-resources.co.uk
sales@topical-resources.co.uk

Tel: 01772 863158

If there is one aspect of school work that has an influence across virtually all the areas that Ofsted looks at, it is homework.

Homework is inspected by Ofsted, of course, but the widespread successful completion of all homework has a major impact on the effectiveness of teaching day by day. 

As a result a number of schools are using homework as the key leverage point when focussing on raising their Ofsted report.  

Of course, getting everyone to put in the maximum effort to complete their homework every time can be complex and difficult – which is why our online program exists.

As one Assistant Head put it…

“We are going to use Show My Homework to improve our Ofsted report from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’ by improving our homework policy and routines. Our teachers find it easy to extend classwork to effectively set and monitor homework. It’s fantastic to get parental support!” 

Naturally we don’t expect you to take our word for this any more than the Assistant Head who wrote the comment above simply took our word for it.   What she did first was what most schools do: she took up our offer of a totally without obligation free trial of our program.

So why does it work?  One reason is the fact that students, their parents, teachers and SLT’s all know what homework has been set and the deadlines for each piece of work.   

Another reason is that the program also works well with students for whom English is not their first language.  The online system comes complete with a translation module ensuring that all homework is replicated in the students’ (and their parents’) own language.

To try our online homework organiser and calendar you can sign up for a free trial on our website. 

Alternatively, call us on 020 8133 4560 or email us at help@showmyhomework.co.uk for more information.

For those new to teaching media, whether it is English and Media, Creative Media, Media Studies or any other, the prospect can be quite daunting. The subject is extensive and ever changing and teachers often have to search through a myriad of unedited raw material for use as classroom resources, which can be time consuming and unproductive.

Which is why the History of Advertising Trust has launched a series of online learning resources, allowing everyone, from the NQT to experienced media studies teachers, to be able to easily integrate original source materials and information from experts and industry insiders into media studies lessons.

The resource, called AD:mission (http://ad-mission.org/) gives online access to free resources, topic specific short courses, as well as more in-depth continued professional development courses, all of which have been developed in partnership with experienced media studies teachers. The content of each resource is closely linked to specific media topics outlined by various examination board specifications.

The low cost CPD courses are excellent value for money and time efficient. NQTs especially will benefit from the fact that the courses support core standards requirements for professional skills and provide a virtual learning environment that includes online tutorials, interviews with media professionals and interactive forums, as well as ideas for classroom planning and activities to teach engaging and motivating lessons.

Alternatively, the course material can be used as a comprehensive resource library to access whenever it is needed and downloaded for use in the classroom quickly and simply by media teachers or even used by teachers who are providing cover for media colleagues.

Everything a media teacher needs to cover advertising topics, themes, key media concepts or contexts is in one place, easy to access, over and again, using a range of teaching strategies with different students.

There are more details here (http://www.advertisingineducation.org/admission/) or call 01508 548623 for more information.

Managing the School Play is a handbook for teachers responsible for producing and directing school productions. It is designed to make the whole process easier with hints and advice for both the experienced and the inexperienced. The book runs chronologically through the process from selecting the play through rehearsal and performance to evaluating the project, discussing the importance of each stage and giving suggestions for good practice along the way.

Included with this ring bound book is a free CD Rom with 20 useful templates in Word format, including:

 Props log
 Production task list
 Risk assessment forms
 Radio mic plot.

Managing the School Play will be an invaluable aid in producing a school play that will enhance working relationships between departments, give the students confidence in their achievements and enhance the image of the school in the community.

Cat No: 978 1 86083 747 0 
Order code: T1624emn – please quote with order.
Sample pages can be viewed at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/drama/T1724.pdf

Price: Photocopiable report in a ring binder plus CD, £29.95 plus £3.95 delivery

You can purchase the report…

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• On the phone with a school order number at 01536 399 011
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=549

As we all know it can be a big leap from Key Stage 3 Art to Key Stage 4 when much greater independence is expected. This book is designed to encourage the transition to such independence from early on. 

The book comprises project sheets have been especially developed for Key Stage 3 by a practising Art teacher with the focus on getting pupils to be more independent in their research by giving them the opportunity to choose, select and make decisions and to become independent enquirers and learners. In this way pupils find that by year 9 their knowledge and experience of using a range of materials is in place allowing year 9 to be a transition into the independence of enquiry and research that is required for a successful year 10.

The project sheets cover topics ranging from pop art to wire sculptures, from Leonardo da Vinci to Van Gogh. “How to” sheets and templates are included allowing teachers to make the most of the resource.

Art Aid is available as a black and white copiable book with an accompanying CD containing the text of the book plus some of the projects in colour.

ISBN:  978 1 86083 789 0

Price: £24.95 for the book and CD, plus £3.95 postage.

You can order in four different ways. In each case please quote our reference T1764emn. Sample pages and a contents list can be viewed prior to ordering on http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/art/T1764.pdf

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House Mailings plc, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH
• By fax on 01536 399 012
• By phone with a credit card or with an official school order number on 01536 399 011
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=740

Advertising crosses every media platform. It provides the means to illustrate key concepts of media analysis, such as media language, institutions, genre, representation, audience, ideologies and narrative. Advertising also reflects social, historic, economic and political contexts.

Research has highlighted the need for such resources and materials to be adapted for use in the classroom.

Which is why the History of Advertising Trust has launched a series of online learning resources, allowing everyone teaching media studies to integrate original source materials and information from experts and industry insiders into media studies lessons.

The resource, called AD:mission, gives access to free resources, topic specific short courses, as well as more in-depth continued professional development courses, all of which have been developed in partnership with experienced media studies teachers. 

The CPD courses include numerous case studies and details about real advertising campaigns. They include an abundance of resources, such as TV and print advertisements, market research and analysis, campaign plans, creative strategies, budgets, media plans and campaign measurement and evaluation.

The courses also provide a virtual learning environment that includes online tutorials, interviews with media professionals and interactive forums, as well as ideas for classroom planning and activities.

Alternatively, the course material can be used as a comprehensive resource library to access whenever it is needed and downloaded for use in the classroom quickly and simply.

Everything you need to cover advertising topics, themes, key concepts or contexts is in one place, easy to access and use over and over again in different situations with different students.

There are more details here or call 01508 548623 for more information

When it comes to decorating classrooms and halls for Christmas, there are two schools of thought. 

One says that it is a good idea to put up the same (or at least a similar) display each year, so that children become familiar with and feel at ease with the decorations that each room will have.

The alternative view says that this is a perfect opportunity for children to be challenged and excited through an exploration of different ways of decorating each area every year. One can also use the changes to stretch the children’s memories and help them compare and contrast one year’s efforts with those of the previous year.

Of course it can be argued that while some children like familiarity and may spend the weeks leading up to Christmas looking forward to making certain displays, others may prefer a challenge and will want to produce something new and exciting. In other words, it might all just be a matter of personal choice.

But nevertheless, if you do indeed fancy exploring a new approach then I think it is fair to say you will be knocked over by some of the designs and projects shown and described in the Christmas in the Classroom art book.

It contains 64 pages of ideas and full colour illustrations covering everything from stars and candles, to plastic spoon angels, the Nativity and stained glass windows to corrugated paper trees. Optional themes and suggested colour schemes are also included to help enhance the impact.

It’s easy to follow and can be used with primary school children of all ages. 

Sample pages are available from our website.

• If you would like to know more please call 01772 863158
• Or email enquiries@topical-resources.co.uk

You can order in any of these ways:

• On our website
• By phone on: 01772 863158
• By fax: 01772 866153
• By email: Sales@topical-resources.co.uk
• By post: Topical Resources, P.O. Box329, Broughton, Preston, Lancashire PR3 5LT

Topical Resources
P.O. Box329
Broughton
Preston
Lancashire
PR3 5LT

www.topical-resources.co.uk
sales@topical-resources.co.uk

Tel: 01772 863158

‘…with care, financial education can permeate our GCSE teaching. We want to prepare our students to live independently and to make the right choices. As maths teachers we need to give them the tools that they need to help them make those financial choices […].’

With debt in the form of student loans and credit cards increasingly a fact of life for many young people, maths teacher Paul Corrie has written an impassioned blog post arguing for the teaching of financial mathematics in the maths classroom.

Introducing statutory topics such as probability and risk through a question on warranties on electrical goods, Paul shows how you can incorporate financial mathematics into everyday mathematical teaching.

To read Paul’s blog post in full, go to:

www.boardworks.co.uk/maths_602

Regards,
The Boardworks Maths team

P.S. We’ve just launched MyWorks KS4 Maths, a new addition to MyWorks, our online formative assessment and homework platform. With mini, extension, exam-style and functional skills quizzes, MyWorks KS4 Maths covers a range of different assessment needs. To find out more, why not try our online samples?

www.myworks.co.uk/ks4maths

Learning Spanish is a 143 page, copiable manual for secondary school students of Spanish at beginner to intermediate level.

The book is divided into two parts. The first half concentrates on grammar and consists of 12 lessons, each lesson including vocabulary to learn and exercises to do. The second half (13 lessons) puts the student in real life situations such as the street, shop, hotel, bank and will enable him to put his theory into practice straight away. At the end of the course the student will have a good working knowledge of the language and should be able to use it with confidence

Set out in 25 individual lessons the book is ideal for use as worksheets which could be given out as and when the teacher felt it appropriate. It comes with a full photocopy license for unlimited use of the book within your school 

This book is supplied as a photocopiable volume in a ring binder or on CD Rom with a full photocopy license for use of the material within your school.

A contents list and sample pages can be viewed at http://pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/modlang/T1558.pdf

Publisher’s reference: T1558EMN ISBN: 978 1 86083 630 5

Prices

• Photocopiable report: £19.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD with school-wide rights: £19.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• Both the Ring Binder and the CD £26.94 plus £3.95 delivery

Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the report… please quote the order ref: T1558EMN

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=34&products_id=411