Aims and objectives
This activity can be used to develop pupils' mental maths, times
tables and spelling skills. By using distractions in the activities
pupils have to switch between differing tasks which challenge and
sharpen their mental recall abilities.
Previous knowledge
Pupils will need to have a basic knowledge and understanding of
the number system and times tables although, as the level of difficulty
can easily be adjusted to meet pupil ability, most individual needs
should be able to be met. Pupils also need to have a familiarity
with the names of the common 2D shapes and, if selected, 3D shapes.
With the spelling version, pupils will need to be familiar with
the high and medium frequency words (as per the NLS) depending from
which level they approach the activity. The format for the spelling
version is a variation on the ‘look, cover, write, check’
methodology so pupils won’t need to have complete knowledge
for every spelling as this is a practice activity.
In the classroom
This activity can be used to develop pupils' mental maths, times
tables and spelling skills. By using distractions in the activities
pupils have to switch between differing tasks which challenges and
sharpens their mental recall abilities.
The level, complexity and speed of the activities can all be controlled
by clicking the relevant buttons. For example, in the maths workout
the number range can be increased up to a maximum of 50 and different
combinations of operation can be selected.
Feedback at the end of the activities shows a full breakdown of
how many and which types of question were answered correctly. This
proves a useful diagnostic tool in identifying where pupils' strategies
may need support. Revisiting the activity periodically will provide
a means of assessing progression.
Running the activity is self-explanatory, just enter a name and
click the 'play' button. Setting the options is also simple (see
the 'help' notes at the start of each activity).
The resource can be used for a variety of purposes such as an extension
activity in the classroom, a revision tool to help pupils with their
speed of mental recall or as an assessment tool to help teachers
identify areas where pupils may need additional support.
At the end of each game the user can print out their ‘fitness’
record. This will show how many answers they attempted and how many
they correctly achieved. With the maths results the output breaks
the results into the four operations (plus 2D/3D shapes).
The spelling version shows all the words held in the database together
with the spellings entered by the pupil against each word attempted.
This is particularly useful for assessment as it not only helps
teachers identify misspelled words but also identify if there are
any trends in the mistakes such as phonemes ‘ei’, ‘ie’
etc..
| Support materials description: |
Resources type: |
| The first high_frequency_words.pdf contains the
high and medium frequency words as set out in the NLS. The majority
of these words have been used in the spelling version of the
activity.
The second interactive_multiplier.pdf has a large-scale 10
x 10 multiplication square suitable for printing out for use
in the classroom. Alternatively, the worksheet, if printed
on stiff paper, can be laminated and used with a dry-marker
pen or even printed onto acetate for use with an OHP.
|
first
high_frequency_words.pdf
interactive_multiplier.pdf
|
Curriculum references
Mathematics - KS1:
Ma2 2a-c; 3a, c, d, e
Ma3 2b
English – KS1:
En2 1f, g
Mathematics - KS2:
Ma2 2a; 3a, d, e, f, h
Ma3 2b, d
English – KS2:
En2 1b
Mathematics - KS3:
Ma2 3a, g, i
Ma3 2k
English – KS3:
The resource can be used to support less able students in developing
their sight vocabulary for high and medium frequency words (see
KS1/2 curriculum references).
|