Fractions

Demonstrating fractions
(Numeracy curriculum - N2/L1.1)
Thanks to Rod M for this idea.
I find that practical division of something such as a pizza helps to demonstrate the principle of fractions. I've found that students sometimes find it hard to understand fractions with large denominators. I get over this by looking at a wedding reception with 200 guests. The bottom tier of the cake is cut into 200 fingers, so each person receives 1/200 of the bottom tier.

Revisewise fractions
(Numeracy curriculum - N2/L1.1)
Revisewise is a site linked to the Key Stage 2 National Tests. On the Fractions pages there's a guide to fractions, a printable factsheet and a quiz to test your understanding of fractions.

Prime numbers
(Numeracy curriculum - N2/L2.3)
Thanks to an unknown tutor who sent in this idea.
Start with a number square for each student, perhaps up to 50, and play a kind of multiplication bingo asking various times table questions. Students cross off the answers including alternatives, e.g. 6 x 3 = 18 and 2 x 9 = 18. They will eventually be left with the prime numbers only. This is a good way of demonstrating what a prime number is, as well as which numbers are prime.

Probability as fractions
(Numeracy curriculum - HD2/L1.2)
The Maths File Game Show is aimed at Key Stage 3 students. Visit the Teachers' page for a guide of what you'll find on the site.
My favourite game is the Fish Tank where you have to calculate the probability of Pythagorus catching a red fish.
PLEASE NOTE The 'levels 1, 2, 3' used on the Maths File site are not the same as the Basic Skills levels. They are just a way of grading the material within the Mathsfile website. (Something we at Skillswise can't change we're afraid.)

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Decimals

Money to explain decimals
(Numeracy curriculum - N2/E3.3, N2/L1.4)
Thanks to Rod M who sent in this idea.
I find that using money to explain up to two place values is of great help. £1.75 gives you one whole pound, seven tenths of a pound and five one hundredths of a pound. You could look at millimetres in a metre for three decimal places.

£ to pence on home makeover shows
(Numeracy curriculum - N2/L1.6)
Home makeover shows viewers how to decorate their homes for less. In these design factsheets they list products used and the prices. You can ask students to convert the £ to pence and vice versa.

Number squares
(Numeracy curriculum - N1/L1.6, N2/L1.3)
It might be possible to make use of the conventional 10 x 10 number square for this. Cover half the squares in order (with bricks, paper, crayon) and get a read-out of 50. A quarter, a fifth and a tenth should also be quite easy. Trying to find a third, though, would tell learners something which relates back to decimals.

Understanding decimals
(Numeracy curriculum - N2/L1.4,N2/L1.7)
Thanks to Deborah Aubrook for this idea.
Talking about 'moving' the decimal point can often cause students confusion. For many students it is simpler for them to understand the concept by moving the numbers and leaving the decimal point in the same place. Using number cards individually, or magnetic numbers, can illustrate this easily in a way that makes it easier for many students to understand the concept.

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Percentages

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Comparing all three

Send us your inspirations!
We currently don't have any ideas for comparing fractions and percentages.
If you have a teaching inspiration for this section please email it to us at skillswise.resources@bbc.co.uk or post it to the Tips and Resources section of the Messageboard.

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