This is a great investigation that builds so many rich mathematics connections. It is easily differentiated as the entry point is simple but more able pupils can extend right into algebra. I did this lesson with my Year 6 class, but it could be accessed by pupils across Key Stage 2. It supports the CPA approach to teaching maths as pupils realise that physically moving the ‘people’ (or rubbers, pencil sharpeners or whatever!) across the river (concrete) or using marks on paper (pictorial) really helps with this investigation. Whereas the higher ability pupils can move into the more abstract realm of writing a formula to predict how many trips are needed for x amount of people. Includes lesson plan, a PowerPoint or SMART notebook file so that question can be displayed on the interactive whiteboard and a pupil sheet also with the question on. The lesson also has a starter activity, which is unrelated to the investigation but a nice starter nonetheless!

A simple PowerPoint with addition and subtraction calculation questions that provide pupils with the opportunity to practise their written methods. For the first activity the 10 questions get progressively harder and I used this as an assessment to identify gaps and group pupils accordingly for teaching input. I repeated these questions at the end of the unit to assess progress and next steps. The second activity includes 13 questions that are grouped in three categories of difficulty. There are two further reasoning activities to consolidate the learning.

Labels of thirteen prefixes and suffixes commonly used today, which were derived from the Ancient Greek language. Provided in PDF format and also Word so you can edit or add to. Ideas for use: Add to working wall (some could go on maths working wall) with slips of paper and challenge pupils to add words that include these suffixes and prefixes. Lesson starter - how may words with the prefix ‘geo’ or ‘tele’ can you think of in 1 minute? Use as part of a spelling lesson to introduce the concept of prefixes and suffixes and the meanings that they convey. Provide as a stimulus for pupils when writing their own Ancient Greek Myths and Legends - can they use these suffixes and prefixes to inspire their character or place names? Build on this to explore prefixes and suffixes derived from Ancient Rome or Latin. Words included (with translation): geo hex hydro mega micro octo pente phone photo poly scope techne tele

Using the context of a dodgy car dealer, children must practise finding fractions of quantities to make sure that they get the best deal. Originally I used this with Year 4, but I think it could also work with Year 5 and less able Year 6 pupils. Resource is provided in PDF and editable Word format.

This resource includes two sets of worksheets providing pupils with the opportunity to practise solving worded division problems and written methods for division. The first set has a Fairground theme and includes three worksheets at different levels. The second has a space theme (created to fit in with our IPC ‘Mission to Mars’ topic) and also includes three worksheets at different levels. In each set the first sheet is aimed at middle ability pupils, the second at less able pupils and the third sheet is for higher ability pupils. Answers for all six worksheets are included. All worksheets require pupils to round their answers up and down, answer multi-step problems and to use written methods of division with decimal numbers. I originally did this with my Year 6 pupils, but it would also be suitable for Year 5 and Year 7 pupils. Resource provided in PDF format and also Word format for editing.

A lesson originally designed for Y6 class. Resource includes: Powerpoint presentation with activities on place value of decimals and ordering decimals. Fun task cards where children have to use the knowledge they have gained in the context of a supermarket. Printable ‘Star Employee’ stars! (I laminated these and added a safety pin to make it into a badge). For a really wow lesson, you could use the cards as a starting point, but set up the activities using real-life objects (good for an observation!).

This resource comprises two worksheets of questions based on shape - one with questions at Level 5 and one with questions at Level 6. Each sheet has a self-assessment grid at the bottom for pupils to fill in so that they are aware of their strengths and areas for development at the beginning of the topic. When I first used these I was preparing more able Year 6 pupils for SATs exams - hence the Level 5 and Level 6; I have kept these levels on as I know it helps some teachers to still think in these terms. I used the results to organise groups and inform planning for the unit and then gave it to the pupils again at the end of the unit to assess progress and next steps. Aside from an assessment activity, these would make a good homework task, individual activity or on-going morning/early finishing task. The questions cover: Level 5 I can visualise a 3D shape after a rotation. I understand the terms parallel and perpendicular. Give the coordinates of three vertices of a parallelogram, I can find the fourth. I can calculate angles on a straight line. I can visualise where patterns drawn on a 3D shape will occur on its net. Visualise patterns on its net. I know the angle sum of a triangle. I can measure angles accurate to 2˚. I can find the perimeter of simple shapes. I can find the area of simple shapes, given some edge lengths. Level 6 I can recognise and use common 2-D representations of 3-D objects I can solve problems using angle properties of intersecting and parallel lines. I can solve problems using angle properties of polygons. I can use appropriate formulae for finding circumferences and areas of circles. I can calculate the volumes of cuboids. I can calculate lengths, areas and volumes in plane shapes. I can enlarge shapes by a given scale factor. The resource is provided in Word format as well as PDF so that you can edit to suit.

A mixture of geometry starter and revision activities that I have used with my Y6 pupils over the years. Ideal for easy starter activities, mental maths lessons, morning task, early finishers’ task, or even homework. I have also used some of the activities for focus groups, baseline assessments and quick revision to keep this area of maths fresh in pupils’ minds. There are 26 activities that cover the following mathematical ideas: - Properties of 2D shapes: symmetry, angles, vertices etc. - Area of compound shapes. - Surface area of 3D shapes. - Perimeter. - Finding missing angles. - Co-ordinates. There is a mixture of closed-questions, as open-ended investigations and mysteries to develop pupils’ ability to reason and make rich links between different areas of mathematics. There are also several ‘Always, sometimes, never?’ investigations, which can also be found on my ‘Always, sometimes, never?’ PowerPoint.

This resource includes 17 slides and a paper resource. There are examples from Rose Blanche and Carrie’s War as we were working on a WW2 topic; however, this lesson will work just as well in any other context. The lesson looks at the effect of different sentence lengths to begin with and then moves on to look at how effective - ing and -ed openers are in varying sentences. Pupils then write a descriptive paragraph about an image (I chose one from Rose Blanche but this could be any image) and try to incorporate sentences of varying lengths and use -ed and -ing openers. Pupils then up-level their passages by using connectives. To consolidate the learning there is a paper resource featuring a selection of different notes to the class asking for advice. Cut each of these notes up and put them in a hat or bowl. Have pupils select and read a note from the bowl and discuss as a class or groups what sort of sentence lengths and structures we would recommend to achieve the effect the writer is aiming for, e.g. lots of short simple sentences one after the other; long flowing complex sentences; start with short sentences and then gradually increase to build pace – use the conjunction ‘and’ repeatedly to give a sense of rushing.

This resource has seven multi-step problems to solve. Some of the problems have two examples, so you can work through the first example as a class to develop strategies and then the pupils can have a go independently. Alternatively, let them have a go first and then demonstrate more efficient strategies. There is also a quick starter activity based on measures as this was a focus for my class at the time and some of the questions involve converting measures. The questions are provided in SMART Notebook and PowerPoint format for display on the interactive whiteboard, and in PDF and Word format as a paper resource. These were originally used in Year 4 as an end of term activity and are based on the NNS Puzzles and Problems for Years 3 & 4; however, they could be used across KS2 with different levels of support. Ideas for use: Time filler for stolen moments at the end of term. Developing problem / investigation solving. Stick the question onto a large piece of paper and solve as a group. Adult-led guided group activity/assessment opportunity. Part of a Travel Agent role play corner. Early finishers work Homework activity School work for pupils going on a long holiday during term time (if you dare!) More able or Upper KS2 pupils could devise their own problems in the same format to truly demonstrate their understanding.

Simple ready to go worksheet with accompanying PowerPoint- originally used in Year 6. Provides pupils with the opportunity to practise calculating the area of compound shapes. The PowerPoint is really simple with just the same questions as the sheet, but it allows you to display on the interactive whiteboard for the purpose of whole class marking, supporting groups and modelling and discussing strategies.

A ready to go worksheet and PowerPoint of problem solving questions that require pupils to convert between litres and millilitres, kilograms and grams and metres and centimetres. I have also put the questions on to a simple PowerPoint so that you can do a bit of whole class marking, model solving a problem, discuss the different strategies used by pupils or gather a group who are struggling together and work through as a team (annotating on the interactive white board as you go). All four number operations are covered and some of the questions are two step problems. I used this with a Year 4 class, but it could be used across Key Stage 2 for different groups of pupils. For example, I have used this activity in Year 6 as a quick revision activity and a baseline assessment. Comes complete with teacher answer sheet and answers on the PowerPoint are below each slide in the notes section. As well as PDF, the resource is provided in Word format so that it can be edited to suit your pupils.

This resource is comprised of 22 ready-to-go 'Always, sometimes, never?' investigations. A really easy option for lesson starters, morning tasks mental maths sessions, revision, homework, displays, or early finishers' task. Pupils are presented with a statements and have to determine whether it is true all of the time, some of the time or never. Most importantly, they need to support their decision with enough examples to convince others. This is great revision of lots of mathematical ideas, including properties of shape, properties of number and algebra and develops pupils ability to reason and justify. All of the activities have been tried and tested with my Y6 class and some Y4 pupils too. I would say they are most useful for upper KS2 pupils but could be used lower down. I found them particularly helpful as quick revision activities for SATs.

This was a mini topic that I did with a Year 5/6 class but it would work throughout Key Stage 2. It spanned two afternoon sessions and could easily be lengthened to create more of a topic. Pupils discover the key features of Aboriginal art and then go on to explore and record their own ideas before producing a final Aboriginal-style piece. Plenty of opportunity is given to evaluate their own and others work. The resource includes: Teaching plans for two lessons PowerPoint presentation (15 slides) Simple pupil planning sheet Aboriginal symbols reference sheet The topic provides good coverage of the 2013 National Curriculum for Art and Design (links are highlighted in bold on the planning). Planning and resource sheets are Word documents and fully editable. Makes for a lovely display at the end!

This is a sheet of questions about fractions, decimals, ratios and percentages. This is perfect for the beginning of a topic to ascertain individual and collective gaps and strengths. The activity could even be given as a homework. The questions get progressively more difficult and span from Level 3 - Level 6. The sheet can be easily edited in Word format so that the levels aren’t visible to pupils. There is also a record sheet for teachers with the objectives at the top of the sheet. Teachers can use a system of ticks and crosses to fill in the boxes, but I use a highlighter to indicate the objectives achieved. I then use this to inform my planning and guided groups. At the end of the topic I give the pupils the questions again and record on the same sheet using a different highlighter so that progress is clearly visible. As well as PDF, resource is provided in Word format for easy editing.

A ready to go set of ten multi-step worded questions (some like mini investigations) that require pupils to use their knowledge of inverse operations. This activity took a whole lesson with a Year 6 class for me. Differentiated questions: yellow cards are Level 4 questions, blue cards are Level 5 questions and green cards are Level 6 questions. Ideas for use: Print on card, cut up and distribute around the class for pupils to solve in groups. Place the card on a large sheet of sugar paper and jot workings around the outside. Share strategies as a class. Whisper Maths activity: pupils have some time to consider the question individually first and then snowball out into pairs and then groups. Set up as a competition, with tables coming to the front for the next card once they have provided the correct solution. Early finishers activity. Print cards on paper, cut up and stick one (at the appropriate level) in each child’s book for them to jot around and solve individually. Guided intervention activity. The resource is provided in PDF as well as an editable Word document and the answers are included. Many thanks for looking.

Ready to go activities that I have used throughout the year with my Y6 pupils and collated onto one power-point. Ideal for starter activities, morning-task, early finishers’ task, mental maths sessions, revision, homework or even display. The resource is comprised of 16 activities and the mathematical ideas covered include: - Averages: mean, mode, median and range. - Interpreting graphs, tables and pie-charts. - Probability. I have also included some pictures that may be helpful if you would like to take the mean exploration further. I have found these particularly useful for my Y6 pupils to keep refreshing them on this area of maths, but I think that they could also be used in Y5. There is a mixture of closed-questions, open-ended investigations and mysteries.