How was it used?

This was used as part of an agreed transition project for the whole LEA. An NGfL Cymru FDO encouraged the teacher to take the original unit and adapt it to fit with the ability of both the class and the teacher and also to fit with the objectives of the ESDGC focus the whole school was involved with.

The project was first introduced at an INSET course by the LEA maths adviser and an NGfL Cymru FDO. The 3D investigation was to be used as part of a larger maths transition project and was to be undertaken by every primary and secondary school within the LEA. The school has a Smartboard in most classrooms so an FDO encouraged the use of a blended learning approach to deliver this particular section of the project. Planning was taken from the original structure of the resource which takes a methodical approach to investigative work. The resource and planning were then adapted to fit with the whole school aims and objectives and also to map the work to the skills framework.

Impact and Outcomes

• These activities provide ample opportunity to develop the pupils’ numeracy skills. I enjoyed watching them meet the challenge of applying their numerical knowledge to solve these problems in a logical way.
• The nature of the activities and the grouping of the children helped develop their thinking and group paired/discussion deepened their understanding of the mathematical concepts embedded within the problems.
• Boys attainment in problem solving improved significantly – they have tended to give up when faced with a paper based problem in the past but because this was so interactive they responded extremely well to the challenge. They particularly enjoyed the football activity we added to the original resource.
• The nature of the activities means that children can achieve at their own level, allowing for personalised learning.
• The work allowed for extension activities to stretch the more able and talented while still working on the same concept as the rest of the class
• The fact that the activity is online meant that many children showed their parents what they had been doing and could work on the problems with their parents. Many parents enjoyed the chain activity with their children.
• The plan the children filled in before they carried out their investigation meant that they periodically stopped and reflected on their approach and whether it was effective.

Learner Feedback

I liked the football activity. It was good to be able to use what we had learned to work out how much the boy should be earning.

Other Resources

Nets of 3d shapes, football. Smart notebook activities

Lesson Learnt

I liked the structured approach to the investigation, this meant that not only did the children carry out the investigation in a logical, methodical way; it also allowed me to feel confident in delivering this type of work.