Reflections on using Grid Algebra with year 7 by Nick
Grid Algebra is a free piece of software developed by Dave Hewitt (who leads the PGCE course at Loughborough) available at gridalgebra.com. This year I used it with two alpha groups, but it is useful across the age and attainment range. Previously, I used it with higher attaining groups.
Its greatest strengths are for developing familiarity and fluency with formal mathematical notation and for working with expressions without the need to evaluate them. But this is perhaps...
Continue reading »Teaching fractions and ratio through bar models
According to the NCETM, “the bar model is used in teaching for mastery to help children to 'see' mathematical structure. It is not a method for solving problems, but a way of revealing the mathematical structure within a problem and gaining insight and clarity to help solve it” (NCETM, 2015). The bar model has been gaining traction for a number of years, especially in primary schools, but I have previously been resistant to it. There have been various things which had dissuaded me, for example where advocates of bar modelling had demonstrated hopelessly convoluted uses of bar...
Continue reading »Interactive dataset
The dataset below is made up of 7 points, all of which are moveable. You can move more than one point at once by holding "Ctrl" and clicking the points you need.
Some suggested questions are:
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