5 minus 7 equals -2

5 minus 7 equals -2

One half of nineteen is 9.5

One half of nineteen is 9.5

The difference between 9 and 13 is 4

The difference between 9 and 13 is 4

A heptagon has seven sides

A heptagon has seven sides

One kilogram is about 2.2 pounds

One kilogram is about 2.2 pounds

Eleven squared is 121

Eleven squared is 121

A million is a thousand thousands

A million is a thousand thousands

A regular pentagon has five equal sides

A regular pentagon has five equal sides

56 is a multiple of 7

56 is a multiple of 7

23 is a prime number

23 is a prime number

See above ten phrases which need to be memorised. Each time the blue play button is clicked a phrase will be removed from the collection. The aim of the activity is to write down the exact the phrase after it has been removed. After the last phrase has been removed all ten phrases are then shown in the order they were removed so that accuracy can be checked. The auto play button removes phrases at thirty second intervals (the time interval can be changed - see below).

• Bob Cavanagh, Brussels
•
• I hadn't thought of using Kim's game in this way. It is excellent for students to develop recall skills, not just long term ones but short term ones as well. These short term skills are essential when answering longer questions which require the student to keep track of previous information.
• Jamie, MPS
•
• This game was excellent! I'd really like more of this!
• Jake Buist, Carnoustie High School.
•
• This game refreshes your memory and gets you thinking.
• Mr Godber, Ilfracombe Arts College
•
• Great starter - could be a great way into any topic. Everyone enjoyed it!
• Kate Cooper, Rayleigh
•
• This was a wonderful starter, the children were engaged in their learning and because they were trying so hard to remember the facts for the game didn't realise that they were remembering maths facts!!!
Would be nice to have topic specific games along the same lines too if possible!
• Dr L,
•
• Great starter. My year 8 did really well and 19 remembered all the facts!
• Trnsum,
•
• Another way to play this game is for pupils to work in pairs or small groups. Different strategies may come into play as the pupils decide how best to collaborate and discuss the facts they are trying to remember. You could even the Random Student Generator to put the pupils into groups (the group links at in the left panel of the Random Student Generator page).

How did you use this starter? Can you suggest how teachers could present or develop this resource? Do you have any comments? It is always useful to receive feedback and helps make this free resource even more useful for Maths teachers anywhere in the world.

Previous Day | This starter is for 11 May | Next Day

The phrases, in the order they disappeared, will be shown in the panel at the top of this page at the end of the game.

Note to teacher: Doing this activity once with a class helps students develop strategies. It is only when they do this activity a second time that they will have the opportunity to practise those strategies. That is when the learning is consolidated. Click a button below to play another version of this game or play the same game again (the phrases will disappear in a different order)

 Basic Shapes Fancy Shapes Circle Parts Angle Theorems Fractions

For many pupils the initial task of memorising ten items is far too difficult. You can make the game easier by removing some of the items with the blue button before you present the pupils with this activity.

The auto play feature removes phrases after a certain number of seconds (30 seconds by default). You can vary that time interval if it is not suitable for your class here:

Auto Play: Remove phrases every

Note that the first phrase is removed four seconds after pressing the auto play button despite the time interval set for the rest of the phrases above.

Christmas Present Ideas

It is often very difficult choosing Christmas presents for family and friends but so here are some seasonal, mathematics-related gifts chosen and recommended by Transum Mathematics.

## Equate board game

Here's a great board game that will give any family with school-aged kids hours of worthwhile fun. Christmas is a time for board games but this one will still be useful at any time of year. Games can be adapted to suit many levels of Mathematical ability.

For Maths tutors working with just one or small groups of pupils this game has proved to be an excellent activity for a tutorial. Deciding on the best moves can spark pertinent discussions about mathematical concepts.

Equate looks a bit like Scrabble--for aspiring mathematicians, that is. Designed by a real mathematician, it works like this: You put down tiles on a board and make points by correctly completing simple equations. Your nine tiles include both numbers and mathematical symbols; you can add on to previous plays both vertically and horizontally. more...

## How Not To Be Wrong

The maths we learn in school can seem like an abstract set of rules, laid down by the ancients and not to be questioned. In fact, Jordan Ellenberg shows us, maths touches on everything we do, and a little mathematical knowledge reveals the hidden structures that lie beneath the world's messy and chaotic surface. In How Not to be Wrong, Ellenberg explores the mathematician's method of analyzing life, from the everyday to the cosmic, showing us which numbers to defend, which ones to ignore, and when to change the equation entirely. Along the way, he explains calculus in a single page, describes Gödel's theorem using only one-syllable words, and reveals how early you actually need to get to the airport.

What more could the inquisitive adult want for Christmas? This book makes a cosy, interesting read in front of the fire on those cold winter evenings. more...

## Graphic Display Calculator

This handheld device and companion software are designed to generate opportunities for classroom exploration and to promote greater understanding of core concepts in the mathematics and science classroom. TI-Nspire technology has been developed through sound classroom research which shows that "linked multiple representation are crucial in development of conceptual understanding and it is feasible only through use of a technology such as TI-Nspire, which provides simultaneous, dynamically linked representations of graphs, equations, data, and verbal explanations, such that a change in one representation is immediately reflected in the others.

For the young people in your life it is a great investment. Bought as a Christmas present but useful for many years to come as the young person turns into an A-level candidate then works their way through university. more...

The analytics show that more and more people are accessing Transum Mathematics via an iPad as it is so portable and responsive. The iPad has so many other uses in addition to solving Transum's puzzles and challenges and it would make an excellent gift for anyone.

The redesigned Retina display is as stunning to look at as it is to touch. It all comes with iOS, the world's most advanced mobile operating system. iPad Pro. Everything you want modern computing to be. more...

## Aristotle's Number Puzzle

It’s a bit of a tradition to give puzzles as Christmas Gifts to nieces and nephews. This puzzle is ideal for the keen puzzle solver who would like a challenge that will continue over the festive period (at least!).

This number puzzle involves nineteen numbers arranged into a hexagon. The goal of the puzzle is to rearrange the numbers so each of the fifteen rows add up to 38. It comes in a wooden style with an antique, aged look.

Keep the Maths in Christmaths with this reasonably priced stocking filler. more...

## The Story Of Maths [DVD]

The films in this ambitious series offer clear, accessible explanations of important mathematical ideas but are also packed with engaging anecdotes, fascinating biographical details, and pivotal episodes in the lives of the great mathematicians. Engaging, enlightening and entertaining, the series gives viewers new and often surprising insights into the central importance of mathematics, establishing this discipline to be one of humanity s greatest cultural achievements. This DVD contains all four programmes from the BBC series.

Marcus du Sautoy's wonderful programmes make a perfect Christmas gift more...

## Christmas Maths

This book provides a wealth of fun activities with a Christmas theme. Each photocopiable worksheet is matched to the Numeracy Strategy and compatible with the Scottish 5-14 Guidelines. This series is designed for busy teachers in the late Autumn term who are desperate for materials that are relevant and interesting and that can be completed with minimun supervision.

All the activities are suitable for use by class teachers, supply teachers, SEN teachers and classroom assistants and cover topics such as 'How many partridges did the true love give all together?' and 'Filling a sleigh with presents by rolling a dice!'. Children will have lots of fun working through the Christmas Maths themes but also gain valuable skills along the way.

A great source of ideas and another reasonably priced stocking filler. more...

## A Compendium Of Mathematical Methods

How many different methods do you know to solve simultaneous equations? To multiply decimals? To find the nth term of a sequence?

A Compendium of Mathematical Methods brings together over one hundred different approaches from classrooms all over the world, giving curious mathematicians the opportunity to explore fascinating methods that they've never before encountered.

If you teach mathematics to any age group in any country, you are guaranteed to learn lots of new things from this delightful book. It will deepen your subject knowledge and enhance your teaching, whatever your existing level of expertise. It will inspire you to explore new approaches with your pupils and provide valuable guidance on explanations and misconceptions. more...

I had been tutoring the wonderful Betsy for five years. When the day came for our last ever session together before the end of her Year 13, I received this beautiful book as a gift of appreciation.

This a very readable book by Ben Orlin. I'm really enjoying the humour in the writing and the drawings are great.

Ben Orlin answers maths' three big questions: Why do I need to learn this? When am I ever going to use it? Why is it so hard? The answers come in various forms-cartoons, drawings, jokes, and the stories and insights of an empathetic teacher who believes that mathematics should belong to everyone. more...

Click the images above to see all the details of these gift ideas and to buy them online.

## Maths T-Shirts

Your access to the majority of the Transum resources continues to be free but you can help support the continued growth of the website by doing your Amazon shopping using the links on this page. Below is an Amazon link. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases which helps pay for the upkeep of this website.

Educational Technology on Amazon

Here is the URL which will take them to another activity based on memory.

Transum.org/go/?Num=494

For Students:

For All:
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