Dr Claire - MathsPositive

🧮 So… am I going to make 100 miles in August? (Part 2!) 🙌🏻

Last week I asked a real-world maths question:

Do you think I'll manage to walk 100 miles in August? 🤔

I had SO many brilliant answers and calculations! 🎉

Some of you worked out the percentage increase in my walking I'd need to reach my target. Others compared the percentage of the month that had passed with the percentage of the miles I'd walked. And some of you brought in extra variables and psychology! 🙌🏻

And I came up with something different too! 😆

This is a great example of a problem that can be approached in many different ways.

I estimated that roughly ¼ of the month had passed, and I'd walked ⅕ of the miles.

And because ¼ is bigger than ⅕, my immediate thought was:

Oops, I'm in trouble! 😆

BUT I completely missed that I'd actually done my calculations (and set you lot your challenge) fairly early in the day, and I managed to walk a few more miles by the end of that day! 🤦🏼‍♀️

The perils of real-world maths! 😂

And there was something else I knew I need to include in my calculation…

I'm getting to know my brain pretty well 🧠

When I set myself a challenge that feels realistic to me, I usually do achieve it. As someone pointed out in the comments, once I set myself a goal, my motivation kicks in and I increase the pace!

And now it's 15th August and I've almost reached the 50-mile mark! 🎉

Almost halfway through the month… and almost halfway to my target! 🎉

So perhaps the maths wasn't telling the whole story after all 😆

I love this as an example of why real-world maths can be so interesting. We can use numbers to make predictions, but we also need to think about context, assumptions and other variables.

And realise that we're usually applying maths to a simplified model of what's actually happening!

That's something I think can get lost in textbook, exam and formal maths problems. We can be given a lovely neat set of numbers, but real life is much messier! 😆

And my students tend to be brilliant at noticing our underlying assumptions and asking the BEST questions! 🌈

So… the challenge isn't over yet!

I wonder what the numbers will say by the end of August 😆

🤔 Ever wondered how students interact during my online group maths classes and practice clubs? 🌈

Each student gets their own Bitpaper - a private online whiteboard. It's optional, with other options including answering questions in the text chat, using mics, working on paper, or even just listening and following along by themselves. But Bitpaper is probably my favourite!

Before each class, I upload the lesson resources to each student's Bitpaper, so they can work alongside me in real time. As they progress through questions, I can see their work and give individual feedback and encouragement throughout the lesson 🎉

One of my favourite things about Bitpaper is that it makes learning much more accessible 🌈

🌻 Learners don't have to speak in front of the group to ask for help.
🌻 They can quietly show me where they're stuck.
🌻 I can give personalised support privately, while the rest of the class continues.
🌻 Everyone can work at their own pace.

It works brilliantly on a tablet with a stylus, but it can also be used on a laptop by splitting the screen between Zoom and Bitpaper. You can then type, use a mouse, or there are some fantastic and inexpensive graphics tablets you can plug in via USB to allow you to write by hand 😊

Some learners prefer to print the worksheets instead, and that's absolutely fine too - I'm always happy to look at photos of work completed on paper.

Online group learning doesn't have to mean feeling lost or putting up your hand to ask for help in front of everyone. There are lots of ways to learn, and I try to make my classes as flexible and supportive as possible 🌻

Have you or your child ever used an interactive whiteboard like this? What is your favourite way to engage in an online class? 😊

A message like this really makes my day 🥹🌈

“I feel very lucky to come home to such an enthusiastic response”!

The parent described what their child had said about their first group maths class:

“Claire is amazing because she’s so enthusiastic, she’s so lovely and she also listens well!”

🥹 I feel so lucky to be able to help young people feel more confident about maths - and even luckier when they're still talking about it enthusiastically hours later! 🙌🏻

If you’re looking for maths support that’s friendly, low-pressure and focused on building confidence as well as skills, why not join us to try a class?

Whether your learner is working towards GCSEs, building their confidence with maths or needs a low-pressure space to learn some new skills, they're very welcome 🌻

I'd love to see if there's any interest in a new live maths group! 😊

I'm thinking of starting a group for learners who'd like to build confidence and fluency with times tables and division facts, in a fun and low-pressure space!

We'll play interactive virtual games together, with absolutely no need for cameras or mics (unless they want to!) 🎲🧮

It will be £27 until the end of August, for 5 live classes, plus a review week with solo games they can dip into at their own pace over a couple of months 🎉

📅 Thursdays at 10:30am

I'm just looking for a couple more students to make the group happen, so if this sounds like something your young person might enjoy, let me know! 😊🌻

Aww thank you everyone, I think the Facebook algorithm likes me again! 😆🙏🏻🎉

"Facebook recognised me for starting engaging conversations and producing inspiring content among my audience and peers!" 🎉🎉

Happy eclipse-day! 🌒

Is it the eclipse? 🌑
Or the heatwave? 🔥

It feels like so many people have been struggling a bit lately, and I've been feeling it too.

I've not managed to post over the last few days, so I'm sure the algorithm isn't particularly impressed with me! 😬😂

The good news is that Summer Maths has been going really well! 🎉🧮🌈

So there's definitely plenty of good stuff happening behind the scenes 😊🙌🏻

I read a post today suggesting that the eclipse might be affecting people's energy and emotions, and it made me wonder.

Have you noticed any changes in yourself or the people around you lately?

Maybe it's eclipse-related 🌑
Maybe it's the heat 🔥
Maybe we're all just a bit tired with summer fun 🌞

Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll be back to my usual self soon! 🎉

And if you've been feeling a bit different lately, you're definitely not the only one! 🌻

In the meantime, if you'd like to help me get back on the algorithm's good side, a like or follow would be very much appreciated! 😆🌈

A real-world maths question for you! 🧮🤔

I’m walking 100 miles in August for Macmillan Cancer Support 🎉

Today is 8th August, and so far I’ve walked 20 miles!

So here’s my question:

🤔 Do you think I’ll reach my target of 100 miles by the end of August?

And more importantly…

Why? 😆

💬 Pop your guesses in the comments – and tell me how you worked it out!

I’ll share my answer later and explain the maths I used to make a rough prediction of whether I’m on track.

And, as always, there are so many ways to approach this question!

As I've thought about it myself, I've found myself combining maths, psychology, and the things I've learnt about myself and my own brain to help me come up with a prediction 🌈

There are no wrong answers! 😊

And if you’d like to support my walk for Macmillan Cancer Support, you can find my fundraising link in the comments.

Your comments, likes and shares are just as much appreciated! 💜

P.S. In case you were wondering how committed I am… two of those miles were completed in cat face paint 🐱😂 It did start melting off my face, but I carried on regardless! 🎉

And The Proclaimers jump into my head whenever I think about 100 miles 🫠 Help!

✨ Tomorrow is my last FREE maths class until September! ✨

If you've been thinking about coming along, this is the perfect opportunity 😊🎉

🗓️ Friday
🕧 12:30pm (UK time)
📊 Constructing pie charts and graphs

Whether you're working towards Functional Skills or Foundation GCSE, need a confidence boost, or just fancy practising alongside friendly, supportive people, you're very welcome. 💚

🌈 I'll be honest - I've not been feeling 100% this week, so I haven't been able to shout about my classes as much as usual! If you know someone who might benefit from a free maths class, I'd be so grateful if you could share this post or tag them in the comments.

Word of mouth really does make such a difference to small independent businesses like mine, and every share helps more people discover that maths can be a positive experience 🌻

Thank you so much for all your support. I hope to see some of you tomorrow! 🌈

Thinking about maths classes for September? Why not try one this summer first? 🌻

I run friendly online maths groups each week, designed to help learners grow in confidence alongside developing their maths skills 🎉

💜 Anxiety-aware
🌻 Neuro-affirming
🎲 Interactive and engaging
🏡 Perfect for many home-educated and neurodivergent learners

Thinking about joining in September? Summer is a lovely time to give a class a try. With some families away on holiday, many groups are currently a little smaller than usual, giving learners more opportunities to ask questions, get individual support and settle in at their own pace before the autumn term begins.

This week's topics include:
📐 Ratio, proportion & scale
🔢 Working with decimals
💷 Money & times tables
📍 Coordinates
➕ Solving one-step equations

Learners can ask questions, work at their own pace and join in however feels comfortable for them. There's never any pressure to have cameras or microphones on.

💷 £6.50 per class
🌈 Or just £22 for four weeks.

If you'd like to find out which group would suit your child best, comment SUMMER below or send me a message. I'd love to help! 😊