These Get Calculating lessons focus on developing the use of calculators in a range of mathematical contexts. You could use them as activities for KS2-3 transition days and/or incorporate them in your planning for the autumn term.
A series of activities which focus on the use of the fraction keys and the S-D key, aims to develop understanding of fractions as division and strengthen knowledge of fraction and decimal equivalence.
A series of activities which focus on the basic functions of the scientific calculator. It provides students with opportunities to calculate with decimals, interpret the display, consider rounding and to focus on the inverse operations relating to the topic of area and perimeter.
A series of activities which broaden the range of functions used on the calculator and involve different aspects of mathematical reasoning around the topic of angles. Activities include reasoning about the sum of internal angles in triangles and quadrilaterals and working out missing angles in shapes, on a straight line and around a point.
A series of activities which develop the use of protractors, pairs of compasses and rulers in geometric constructions. The focus is on selecting the appropriate equipment for a given task and revises some of the language and properties of 2D shapes. This lesson links to the Construction Site lessons in the Year 6 ‘Get Calculating’ lessons and could form part of a transition project.
A series of activities beginning with function boxes and leading into constructing and exploring number sequences generated from growing patterns of cubes. The function box is brought back to encourage students to identify the link between the pattern number (input) and the number of cubes (output) and begin to use algebra to generalise the number of cubes needed for any pattern in the sequence. This lesson links to the Growing Patterns lesson in the Year 6 ‘Get Calculating’ lessons and could form part of a transition project.
All of the lesson plans include: