Welcome to the Transum mathematics newsletter for August 2017 wherever in the world you are. Some of you are enjoying the long school summer holidays while for others it is business as usual. Before getting on to the main theme of this missive
Welcome to the Transum mathematics newsletter for August 2017 wherever in the world you are. Some of you are enjoying the long school summer holidays while for others it is business as usual. Before getting on to the main theme of this missive let’s begin with this month’s puzzle.
I have randomly selected two different whole numbers. They aren’t both odd. What is the probability that they are both even?
The answer is at the end of this newsletter but now let’s move on to the main theme of the moment which is about children continuing their learning during the school holidays. Research indicates that by the end of the long summer holiday pupils perform, on average, one month behind where they left off in the spring. The Transum website has plenty of suggestions for activities that will keep children thinking mathematically while having fun and learning new skills. The links for all of these activities are at Transum.org/Holiday
- Improve Your Times Tables
A particularly worthwhile way to spend some of each day during the holidays is to practise the ability to quickly recall multiplication facts. Here are three suggested Transum activities that can be found at the link above.
- Times Tables: A collection of activities to help pupils learn a times table in only 5 days.
- TablesMaster: This extremely popular activity provides feedback to help pupils improve.
- Times Square: Another way to practise mixed tables is by completing this multiplication grid.
- Newspaper Type Puzzles
Here are some online interactive puzzles of the type often seen in newspapers.
- Suko Sujiko: Interactive number-based logic puzzles (drag and drop).
- Zygo: Randomly-generated, number-based puzzle designed to develop numeracy skills.
- Online Sudoku: An interactive version of the popular number placing puzzle.
- Exam Preparation
For those who are preparing for forthcoming mathematics examinations.
- Weekly Workout: GCSE-style questions GCSE Mathematics preparation.
- Exam Objectives Checklists: Interactive, printable examination learning objective checklists.
- Formulae to Remember: The traditional pairs or pelmanism game adapted to test recognition for the formulae required to be memorised for GCSE exams.
- Mathematical Magic
Children can amaze parents and friends with these magic tricks that are based on mathematical concepts.
- Mathemagic: A collection of magical tricks with full explanations.
- Maths Mind Reader: Investigate this amazing mind reading animation.
- Magic Square: Each row, column and diagonal should produce the same sum.
- Go On A Maths Adventure
Maths adventure games have been around since the first computers appeared in schools.
- Tran Towers: An adventure game requiring pupils to solve puzzles as they move through the old mansion.
- Tran Tunnels: Similar to the above but this time you move through virtual tunnels.
- Pentransum: Mathematical questions with five possible answers. If you get 20 correct you can add your own question to the database.
- Online Board Games
Whether you prefer the top hat or racing car you don’t need tokens for online board games.
- Mathopoly: A game of buying and selling property with maths questions thrown in for good measure.
- Dump-A-Dice Race: An online board game for two players involving prime and square numbers and making choices.
- Hi-Low Predictions: A version of the Play Your Cards Right TV show. Calculate the probabilities of cards being higher or lower.
- Develop Your Memory
Being able to memorise figures, names or concepts is an important skill which these activities develop.
- Kim’s Quiz: The traditional memory game played with mathematical statements.
- Mathematician Pairs: The traditional pairs or Pelmanism game requiring the ability to recognise some of the great mathematicians.
- Mathterpieces: Memorise eight pictures made up of geometrical shapes then sort them into order.
- Searching For A Strategy
Playing maths games against parents and friends is always more satisfying with a winning strategy.
- Nim is a mathematical game of strategy in which two players take turns removing objects from groups of objects. Whoever takes the last object wins.
- Tantrum: A game, a puzzle and a challenge involving counters being placed at the corners of a square on a grid.
- Fifteen: A strategy game. Play against the computer to select three numbers that add up to 15.
- Practical Activities
Get the scissors, glue sticks and rulers for some hands-on mathematical tasks.
- Kite Maths: Can you make a kite shape from a single A4 size sheet of paper using only three folds?
- Paper Constructions: Practical mathematical skills are required to work out how to construct these three dimensional items from paper.
- Tangram Table: Use the pieces of the tangram puzzle to make the basic shapes then complete the table showing which shapes are possible.
- Computer Games
If the child has a computer, iPad or similar, these games have a mathematical link.
- Snooker Angles: An online game for one or two players requiring an ability to estimate angles.
- Digital Darts: An online darts game for one or two players requiring skill, strategy and mental arithmetic.
- Where’s Wallaby?: Find the hidden wallaby using the clues revealed at the chosen coordinates.
- Mathematical Vocabulary
All about the words used in Maths. Keep a