#MathsConf36

  • Saturday 12th October 2024

  • 8.30am — 4.30pm

  • Astrea Academy Sheffield


"In the 59 years I've been on the planet, MathsConf has been the best day of maths ed I've ever experienced. Thank you so much, one and all! Still on a high... "

@therispguy

What to expect

For the 36th Complete Mathematics Conference, aka #MathsConf36, we're coming to Sheffield!

Bringing together hundreds of maths teachers from all phases of education to collaborate and learn from each other.

The perfect way to spend a Saturday with easily digestible mathematics wisdom from educators around the country.

Location

Timetable

  • 08.30
    Arrival
    Grab your badge and first coffee of the day
  • 09.30
    Assembly

    Welcome and introduction, from Complete Mathematics and Main Sponsor, AQA

  • 10.10
    Period 1
  • 11.00
    Morning break
    Chance to grab some exhibition goodies
  • 11.20
    Period 2
  • 12:10
    Morning Break
    Hunt down our treasure hunt clues
  • 12:30
    Period 3
  • 13:20
    Lunchtime

    Check out and taste test maths inspired cakes or why not join the Tweetup?

  • 14:10
    Period 4
  • 15:00
    Afternoon Break
    Have a stretch and grab a final cup of tea
  • 15:20
    Period 5
  • 16:10
    Graduation
    Join the final remarks, including charity raffle draw — will you be a lucky winner?

Workshops

Every Mark Matters

Jo Morgan @mathsjem
In this workshop we'll take a close look at GCSE exam scripts and examiner reports. We'll analyse methods, misconceptions and mark schemes.

I'll share advice that you can pass onto your GCSE students to maximise their marks. I'll also make some suggestions for little teaching tweaks that might make a difference.

Harnessing the Power of Variation​

Jonathan Hall @StudyMaths
Variation is an incredible powerful tool in mathematics and plays a key role in enabling pupils to make sense of mathematical concepts and ideas.​
This practical workshop will explore how Variation Theory can be brought to life in the classroom and, crucially, how teachers can efficiently and effectively incorporate the key ideas behind variation into all aspects of their lesson planning and delivery.

Cuisenaire Rods: Connecting Concepts Across Topics

Peter Mattock @MrMattock

We're going to get some Cuisenaire rods out and explore all of the wonderful mathematical ideas that can be brought to life with this one amazing manipulative. From basic number all the way to functional algebra, if you haven't used Cuisenaire before (or even if you have), come along and see how Cuisenaire can help make sense of a host of maths concepts.

Beyond Completion Tables

Sam Blatherwick @blatherwick_sam

Completion tables are a wonderful tool to be able to get students to think flexibly about the mathematics that they have been studying.

This workshop delves into how they can be taken further, using structures that have been taught in lessons and thinking about equivalent representations, to elicit further deep mathematical thought.

Using a Rekenrek to teach Adding and Subtracting Integers

Have you heard about this versatile, visual, concrete manipulative? Perhaps you are curious… or even skeptical? If you are interested in encouraging mathematical talk, reasoning, deeper understanding and daily practice in a hands-on visual method, then this session is for you. You truly have to see it to believe it. This is your chance to use a 20 bead rekenrek to teach adding and subtracting integers. You will leave with many ideas to use the very next day. You will be amazed at how this tool can be the mess-free answer for children developing deeper understanding of number sense while naturally engaging in rich mathematical talk.

Five ways to hook your class

Rob Eastaway @robeastaway

It’s Monday morning. Your bleary-eyed students traipse into the classroom. What they need is a bit of fun and excitement - but with valuable maths in it, too. Join Rob Eastaway as he demonstrates five entertaining tricks, puzzles and games that are a surefire way to get everyone’s week off to a good start*.

*Psst, while also teaching useful geometry, arithmetic and algebra skills.

Suitable for KS2, KS3, KS4

Forward-facing primary maths: what does this mean and why does it matter?

Jo Austen @mathswithin10

In this session, Jo will explore what makes for 'forward-facing' primary maths. How can we ensure that the methods, models and examples we choose are preparing children for their mathematical future, not just reaching the minimum objective right now? The session will also be useful for secondary colleagues to see where many common misconceptions are born and how they might be remedied.

Securing additive reasoning - the gateway to all maths learning?

Gill Shearsby-Fox @FoxShearsby and Charlie Harber
Establishing strong base fact knowledge and combining it with rich, flexible strategies helps children solve additive calculations efficiently and accurately. This is based on the idea that pupils need more than to just know base facts in isolation. To secure success in calculation, children need to be able to use their base facts to help them solve more complex calculations. Gaps in base fact knowledge and application can become even more evident as children progress through primary school and into secondary. Come and find out how to close this gap and make fluent and flexible calculators.

High Expectations

Mel Muldowney @Just_Maths

Having high expectations goes beyond a literal translation of the words and during this session Mel will look at concrete strategies across a range of areas within mathematics teaching that can be deployed as a teacher or leader. Its all about context and hopefully you can get a golden nugget or two from the session.

Exploring Matrix Transformations

Rob Southern @mrsouthernmaths

I love teaching matrices – it is a “brand new” topic that the students can really get into. In this session, we will focus on matrix transformations. We will look at some activities aimed at helping students to really understand how matrix transformations work. We will think about invariance and consider what it means for a matrix to be “self-inverse”. I will also share some ideas on linking matrices with other areas of the curriculum.

Inclusive Mathematics: Engaging SEND Learners through Low Floor, High Ceiling Activities

Alan Edmiston

This session will give you an insight into the use of low floor/heigh ceiling activities as a way of include SEND learners in mathematics. The ideas of Piaget and Vygotsky that form the theoretical framework will be explored. A range of activities will be shared that are suitable for use across Key Stages 2 and 3.

Better Mocks

Still in the habit of setting a mock exam using a full past paper and following it up with ‘green penning’ before filing them away until passing them to the bin in July? Join me to explore AQA’s All About Maths offerings to identify resources that can support feedback for mock exams, and explore how the QLAPD (AQA’s performance data) can help you set better mocks.

A Whistlestop Tour of the Wonderful World of GCSE Maths Resits...

Julia Smith @AQAMaths

We shall be considering the cohort and exploring the main difficulties these learners have...with a plethora of resources to support accessible and inclusive teaching, meeting the needs of all learners.

There will be a lot in this session to support teaching yr11 borderline groups.

What is Level 2 Further Maths? And why is it so great?!

Ian Andrews @AQAMaths

Ian has been teaching AQA’s Level 2 Further Maths qualification for over a decade. In this session he goes through the benefits, how it can boost students GCSE Maths grade and how to implement it in school. Ian will also share some of the great resources available to support your teaching of L2FM.

Talk for Maths

Louise Pennington @pdLouiseP

This practical, hands-on workshop will look at:
• What should exploratory talk look like in maths and how can it deepen understanding?
• How can manipulatives be used as a tool for talk?
• How and when to teach precise vocabulary?
• How can oracy help combat maths anxiety and help student’s confidence grow?

The Power of Manipulatives in the Primary Classroom

Ian Connors

This session delves into the transformative role of manipulatives in enhancing the conceptual understanding of mathematics for all primary school children. We will examine the challenges teachers face when integrating concrete tools, exploring why shifts in attitudes towards maths teaching remain slow despite the evidence. What does research truly say about the effectiveness of manipulatives, and when do they make the most impact?

Drawing on extensive experience in primary education, including his roles as a teacher, headteacher, and Director of Education, Ian will share personal insights into the development of a new manipulative and programme called Number Builders, which places manipulatives at the core of number work for young learners. This talk will provide valuable lessons for anyone interested in creating or refining educational tools that can revolutionise classroom learning.

Yes, But How Do You Feel?

Craig Latimir @Teach_Solutions

A story that doesn't move you emotionally isn't a very good story. The same can be said for a maths curriculum.

Mathematics has the power to evoke all sorts of emotions. It should inspire, empower, enliven and, enrich people's lives. But, as a consequence of trying to inhibit "maths anxiety" are we in danger of giving learners an emotionally dead curriculum?

This session will look at some tasks that might provide the cure. We will engage with them, explore how they makes us feel and discuss the role emotions can, and should, play in the classroom.

Bring paper, pen and maybe some tissues.

Teaching Trig using ratio tables.

Suzanne Preston @arithmancyprof

Over the past few years, I've tried to move away from formula triangles, inspired by a previous Mathsconf about teaching compound measures using ratio tables. I realised that I referred to them as trig ratios yet didn't actually explicitly teach them as ratios. By getting a student to recognise the two sides that are related and which ratio to use, leads to a student assigning meaning to the trig ratio. Teaching as a ratio table also reinforces FDP conversion, and allows students to use the properties of equivalent fractions to approximate values when a calculator is unavailable.

Timeless Countdown

Jon Southern

Let's do some maths together in this interactive 'Timeless Countdown' workshop. We'll explore the classic numbers game without time pressure, allowing for deeper thinking and discussion of various solving methods. We'll delve into metacognition by working collaboratively on solutions, then look at similarities and differences in approaches/methods. Suitable for all teachers, you'll be practising your skills and analysis so that you can take these puzzles and conversations back to your classroom. If nothing else, we'll have fun doing maths together purely for pleasure.
For those who attended my talk at MathsConf online, this is a great chance to develop your skills further by working with other teachers

How to best structure and utilise resources to support oracy in the maths classroom

Guy Carpenter @gcarp567

Over the past two decades, many resources have been created to support classroom discussions in maths, but what does that actually mean? How can teachers lead these discussions to optimise learning? This workshop, inspired by recent insights into reading, writing, and oracy, will explore effective maths resources and task design based on research. We’ll also discuss how to use these tools to foster mathematical oracy and why it's essential for developing young mathematicians. You'll leave with practical tips and resources ready for immediate use. 

Teaching fractal geometry in KS3. Looking at fractal geometry such as Sierpinski tetrahedron, Mengers Sponge, Koch snowflake

Claire Shaw and Jess Wilson @whiteroseed

This session will introduce how fractals can be used to teach key mathematical concepts in geometry. You’ll learn how to make fractal geometry accessible and engaging for students, sparking their interest in mathematics through real-world applications. With hands-on activities and visual tools, this CPD will provide you with practical strategies to incorporate fractals into your KS3 curriculum, making complex ideas easier to grasp and more exciting for your students.

Fun with Platonic Solids

David Martin

In this workshop we will participate together in a range of activities centred around the Platonic Solids. These five solids have been studied and written about for thousands of years. As we get to know these better, we will be motivated to engage in approaches from a range of mathematics, utilising at most GCSE mathematical skills.

Booklets: Ensuring a minimum entitlement

Rebecca Sanders @MrsSandersMaths Adam Mercer @AMercerMaths

Teachers can lose hours to resource-finding and subsequent lesson planning. What if we told you there was a one-word solution to move away from lesson planning in favour of lesson preparation? Booklets. Becky and Adam will take you on their journey of designing booklets to resource their common core curriculum. In this session you will get to find out how booklets work in practice, explore task design (which involves doing some maths!) and be involved in some myth busting. This session should offer something for everyone, whether you're a MAT lead, a Head of Department, or a teacher who would like to give booklet-led delivery a go!

Improving Questioning and Discussion in the Maths Classroom

Nathan Burns @MrMetacognition

Questioning is one of the most important tools that we have at our disposal to support the learning of students in our classrooms, whilst discussion is an underused, but powerful tool in advancing student understanding and learning.

This session will explore exactly what makes a question effective, before evaluating three different strategies to questioning in the classroom, with examples. The session will then go on to explore the importance of discussion, and again evaluate three different strategies, along with examples, that you can use in the classroom.

All will leave the session with new approaches ready to implement next time that they are in the classroom!

Fibonacci Patterns: Number patterns hidden within the most famous sequence in Mathematics

Stephen Froggatt @StephenFroggatt

2, 3, 5, 8 - who do we appreciate? Fibonacci!
If you thought that the leap-frogging, backstitch-adding sequence of numbers that bears the name Fibonacci was limited to rabbits, golden spirals, fir cones and pineapples, then perhaps you are missing out. In this session we look at some of the less well-known mathematical properties of this endlessly-fascinating sequence and pose some questions that still remain unsolved today.
Expect to come away armed with enough enrichment material for dozens of lessons, Maths clubs, projects and lectures of your own. Suitable for teachers of KS3 up to KS5. Bring a calculator!

Unlocking potential: Harnessing prior knowledge and other strategies for success in foundation GCSE Maths

Anne Stothers

Anne explores how you can unlock potential in foundation GCSE maths by harnessing students’ prior knowledge, problem solving and other strategies to increase engagement, motivation and confidence.

Discover hands-on approaches and classroom-tested techniques to assess and activate students' pre-existing knowledge. Dive into the neuroscience of learning, with a focus on the critical role of prior knowledge in facilitating new information assimilation. Discern the benefits of fostering retrieval within your teaching practice to elevate student performance and motivation and highlighting the importance of prior learning experiences.

What is a "problem" and how do we learn to “solve problems”?

Ian Davies @iandav2005

In this interactive session, we explore the development of problem-solving skills in maths by working on a wide variety of different problems and asking:
What makes a “good” mathematics problem?
How do mathematicians solve problems?
What pupil behaviours can we develop to help problem-solving?
What are the metacognitive principles?
You’ll have lots of practical activities and strategies to take away and apply in the classroom.

Transition to A Level Maths 2025

Now that we are well into the Autumn Term for the Class of 2024, the focus is on preparing our Class of 2025 students to do A Level Maths.

Reflecting on the "Crossover" questions from the 2024 GCSE Summer papers, the aim is to look in detail for areas where Year 11 Higher GCSE teachers can focus on and to see what we can all do to make the transition to A Level Maths happen more smoothly.

There will be plenty of time for discussion and there will also be some questions from topics that appear on both GCSE and A Level Maths to try out!

An introduction to didactic teaching in maths.

Jack Jewell @jjewellmaths

Didactic teaching is a style of teaching in which the teacher leads from the front. It usually receives a bad press and is simply and rather negatively described as being like a lecture.

If used correctly in our classrooms it can be an incredibly powerfully tool for helping our children learn and succeed in our subject regardless of ability.

I whole heartedly believe that didactic teaching when used successfully is one of the most powerful forces we can use in our classrooms.

Extras

Friday Night Meet-up

It's a MathsConf tradition for delegates arriving on Friday to meet up at a local bar to catchup with the community, network and talk all things mathematics.

We'll be sending out further information to all ticket holders nearer the time.

Treasure Hunt

Throughout the day you will have a collection of mathematical questions that you need to find and solve, with each question labelled with a greek letter. Solve the questions, and using our cipher, convert the greek letters to give you a mathematical word. If you get the correct word, you will be entered into a prize draw and be in with a the chance of winning an Amazon Fire Tablet.

Charity Raffle

As with all of our conferences, we want to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to contribute to worthy cause! We will be running a raffle where you can win a selection of mathematical prizes, with all proceeds going to the Macmillan Cancer Support.

Maths Cake Competition

Our cake competition is always a highlight of the day, as elegates battle it out to be crowned the winner of the maths-themed cake bake-off.

Be sure to check out your colleagues' handywork on Twitter at #MathsConf35. And, of course, remember to tweet a picture of your own cake before you finish it all! We know how delicious they are!