The Learning Guide

06/03/2019

Knowing factors really helps students solve tricky perimeter word problems where the key clue is a given area. Real mathematical understanding comes in the application of knowledge not just drilling of facts, and visualising a problem can really help! 👀🧠

20/12/2018

I love this from Dylan Wiliam and so much! We don’t want kids to jump through hoops and to only think the things curriculums fill their heads with. We need them to be creative with their ideas, problem solve, be resilient, bounce back, work in teams, think logically, plan, experiment and know that trying is what really matters.

21/11/2018

Decimals can be tricky at first and often students feel a certain level of fear when they first approach them. Who knew numbers have fractions of 1 between them?? 🤔 Somehow relating this idea to money really helps to make decimals seem more friendly and accessible. Pounds become whole units/ones, 10ps become tenths, and 1ps become hundredths. Students will understand that 86p isn’t a whole pound from real life experience with money so therefore 0.86 isn’t a whole unit either. Making maths friendly and relatable is what it’s all about 🤩💷
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09/11/2018

The biggest hurdle I have to overcome with any student, in any subject, is their own inner voice telling them they can’t do it. You may want your child to excel in a particular subject but unless their head is in the right place, it simply won’t happen. Working on self-confidence and self-belief with a student by underpinning all learning with positivity and a ‘have a go’ mindset leads to incredible things. Enjoyment leads to success and if that success is reaching whatever your potential is then you’ve made it, changed your mindset, and had fun along the way 🌟💫
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08/11/2018

My students love these books by David Glover and anything that makes learning less like work and more like fun gets a big high five from me ✋🏼 This series is a ‘choose your own adventure’ set where students follow mathematical challenges, symbols and instructions as part of a quest to solve a mystery. A great way to learn and enjoy maths in a different format 👏🏼🔢📊📚 (Available on Amazon)
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11/09/2018

https://www.headspace.com/

So here we go - ENTRANCE EXAM SEASON IS HERE.

* Saturday 15th - Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
* Monday 17th - Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar, Stretford Grammar and Urmston Grammar
* Saturday 22nd September - Loreto Grammar School for Girls and St Ambrose College for Boys

At this stage the hard work has been done and so it's time to stay positive, keep calm, eat well and sleep like a champion. On that note, many of my students and parents are using the Headspace app together to find balance in what can be an incredibly intense time. It's highly recommended and provides a little time each day to think with more focus and peace - we could all do with a bit of that all the time couldn't we?

05/09/2018

It's just over 11 days until the University of Durham CEM exam for the Trafford Consortium Schools; Altrincham Girls' Grammar School, Sale Grammar, Stretford Grammar and Urmston Grammar. So many 'just-turned-Y6' pupils are working incredibly hard at the moment - and have done for a long time - in preparation for the big day on Monday 17th September, so it's time to really boost them up, stay calm and work on any last niggles. Above all though, trust in the wise words of J.K. Rowling...

19/04/2018

Narrow vocabulary 'hits pupils' grades' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-43811703

The most important part of my entrance exam preparation with students is to broaden their vocabulary by encouraging a love of reading and words. Reading for pleasure and word games like Scrabble, Boggle, Articulate, Hangman and crosswords are the very foundations of good prep and have lasting value beyond test papers and repetitive exercises. Get reading, get imagining, get learning new bonkers, brilliant and beautiful words!

Research suggests four out of 10 pupils in their first year of secondary have limited vocabulary.

01/03/2018

This World Book Day I’ll be found curled up away from the arctic conditions reading ‘A Wrinkle In Time’ by Madeleine L’Engle. Published in 1962, this fantasy novel aimed at 8+ year olds, is soon to find new life in the forthcoming Disney adaptation starring and . I was hooked by the very first paragraph; a 9 line masterclass in building atmosphere. 📚🌏💫🚀

I want every child who thinks they can’t write, or worries about spelling or grammar, to read this brief biography of the author. Know that you can do it. Know that imagination is greater than spelling or grammar. Know that it’s where you’re free and where you come alive. Nothing can ever be as great as that. 💡🔮📝

13/02/2018

Investing in a good mathematical dictionary can make a huge difference when tackling word problems with your kids. It’s often the vocabulary which creates the stumbling block, not the maths itself so get your child to look up problem words such as ‘parallel’, ‘reflex’, ‘product’ and more to develop their familiarity of technical language. Dictionaries like this one include great diagrams and explanations as well as relevant real life examples.

16/01/2018

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4h26FXFQ4KfMV7VVSbJxY3g/500-words-2018

So it's been an exciting start to the week with the launch of BBC Radio 2's '500 Words' creative writing competition for kids aged 5-13!

This will be my 5th year judging and I'm always amazed by the calibre of entries and how such young people have the ability to conjure vivid, emotional, hilarious, dramatic and powerful pictures with words. If you've got an avid writer in the house, or someone who's imagination is always sparking, how about encouraging them to enter the competition?

Visit the website to find out more and even find online writing lessons and tips from some of the best authors out there. I'm crossing my fingers for another invite to the final! 🤞🤞🤞

500 Words 2018 - All you need to know