Gifted Pupils

'Good teaching for the gifted and talented has the essential characteristics of good teaching for any pupil but it is particularly dependent on the teachers' own specialist expertise and scholarship. In the best lessons seen, teachers' knowledge of the subject was very secure.'

Providing for gifted and talented pupils (Ofsted, 2001)

 

Activities and Resources
This excellent selection of resources was put together by a group of Leading Teachers in Cumbria Primes, percentages, Fractions, Area, Pythagoras, Speed Limits, Optimisation - Click here

Maths in Motion Software - Software required

The aim of the Challenge is to help raise standards of achievement in mathematics across an age range of 9 to 16 and to show students of all abilities that maths can be fun!  Using software that simulates a Grand Prix race, students will encounter a variety of mathematical tasks (some practical) in an effort to win the race.  The Challenge is fast becoming recognised as something that not only motivates both the students and teachers who take part, it also brings a freshness to the teaching and learning of mathematics across the board.  

Click here for a PowerPoint Overview          Click here for PowerPoint instructions

website www.mathschallenge.co.uk


Bungee Jumping

Pose a simplified problem of a real life practical situation - Click here for an outline activity

Bridge Building

I have used the theme of Bridge Building and worked with a group of more able pupils from Year 8.  The pupils were chosen by considering able Mathematicians, Scientists and Technology Students.  There were 9 students working in groups of 3 who researched the construction of bridges, produced planning sheets, scale drawings etc... in line with DT practice.  They were taken out of one Maths, one Science and one DT lesson a week for 3 weeks and then they had a 2 afternoon sessions set aside for the final construction of their model.

Click here for the activity      Click here for the Timetable they worked to

It it is worth noting that most activities can be adapted to extend the thinking of pupils in the classroom.  I have also made use of a number of the problem solving activities and the contextual questions which can be found in the Problem Solving Section of this site.

This document identifies some of the ways gifted pupils are catered for by Mark Dawes an AST at Comberton Village College in Cambridgeshire - Click here

Other Resources

For top 5%
C.W. Trigg, Mathematical Quickies: 270 Stimulating Problems - ISBN 0 486 24929 2
A. Gardiner, Mathematical Puzzling - ISBN 0 486 40920 1
Tony Gardiner, More Mathematical Challenges - ISBN 0 521 58568 6
A Gardiner, The Mathematical Olympiad Handbook - ISBN 0 19 850105 6
Gardiner, Discovering Mathematics: the Art of Investigation - ISBN 0 19 853265 2
David Wells, You are a Mathematician - ISBN 014 01 7480 X

For 5% to 10%
David Wells, Penguin Dictionary of Curious and Interesting Numbers - ISBN 014 02 6149 4
Tony Gardiner, Maths Challenge Book 1 - ISBN 0 19 914777 9
Tony Gardiner, Maths Challenge Book 2 - ISBN 0 19 914778 7
Tony Gardiner, Maths Challenge Book 3 - ISBN 0 19 914779 5
SMP 11-16, New Stretchers - ISBN 0 521 38389 7
Tony Gardiner, Mathematical Challenge - ISBN 0 521 55875 1
Tony Gardiner, Senior Mathematical Challenge - ISBN 0 521 66567 1
A. Gardiner, Mathematical Puzzling - ISBN 0 486 40920 1

Meet the challenge of the gifted with support articles, curriculum ideas, Internet investigations and book lists from this American Website. www.hoagiesgifted.org

Teaching Mathematics to Able Children by Valsa Koshy – David Fulton Publishers 1-85346-687-5