5 easy tips to make simple Maths questions fun!

Welcome to my blog - PreeceMaths. 

I'm hoping to post semi regularly, and will be mainly focused on me sharing my resources that I create/steal/adapt!

I'm a second year secondary Maths teacher (based in Leeds UK),  my mentor (although he has now sadly left for pastures new) is the world famous Cav (Cavmaths) (srcav on twitter ) , and gradually discovered a passion for creating lessons and resources. I would not go and say I'm good at it, but I'm certainly improving and would to share ideas and resources with any Maths teachers out there.

Right here we go... :)

Transforming questions from boring to fun engaging activities.!

I'm a big believer in the students learning by doing lots and lots of questions. Not so they get it right so they find themselves in the position of not being able to do it wrong.

For upper sets they tend to get on with it and like been able to do it, however I teach a lot of mid to lower sets (Cav nicknamed me 'Bottom Set Preece' when he saw my timetable for this year) so I've to  develop strategies and techniques to engage these students.

Anyway here is something I would have used when starting.

Exhibit A

Pretty standard set of questions, very textbook like with little sense of progression for the students.

How do we transform this to something all students would want to attempt and push themselves??
Well here are five easy to implement tips. (if you have any please reply down below!!)

1) Make it pretty - we live in a superficial world. Students are attracted more to pretty things! Add colour, add pictures if possible.

2) Add a sense of progression. Many students play games. What makes them keep going is the sense of progression by completing levels and achievements. Many are obsessed about getting trophies (Playstation) and xbox points and continue playing the game even though they beaten the final boss.

(You can also you use this for a mini plenary - i.e. get them to write I achieved a gold trophy because I got most of the questions correct. To achieve a platinum trophy I need to be able to do whatever.... )

3) Make it personal - for written questions, why not use a students name for the class. They love that!

4) Add a timer - A tip you will have been told from day 1, but one worth repeating. Increases pace.

5) Add a challenge question - standard practice. Often I cover this question until 2/3 minutes left as some students will only attempt that. Make it so they have to earn their right to do the challenge question (I do use soldier ranks for progression as well!)

 And volia!
Exhibit B


Are there any other techniques you use? Please share them so I can gratefully steal them ;)

(Expect another post soon on other more slightly advance techniques.)

PLEASE share the maths love too :)