Motivating students at Key Stage 4
The AMSP has a wealth of experience of providing enrichment and promoting the study of maths.
We have collated a selection of activities and resources for you to use with your classes to motivate and enrich their learning in mathematics. The resources vary in length and style, and can be used in different ways, such as class activities, individual/independent work, set for homework etc.
Resources
Try being a Data Detective
60 mins
Topic
Version B - Scatter graphs (Foundation)
Version C - Box plots, measures of central tendency and spread and scatter graphs
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- Starter
- In In-lesson task
- Group work
- Project
- Homework
Try being a freelance filmmaker
60 mins
Topic
Version B - Percentages, ratio and proportion (Foundation)
Version C - Percentages, ratio and proportion, geometric sequences (Higher)
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- Starter (the initial part of the resource)
- In-lesson task
- Independent work
Working for a cause you are passionate about
60 min
Topic
Percentages and measures of central tendency and spread
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- Starter (the initial part of the resource)
- In-lesson-task
- Independent work
Shaded Squares 2
15 min
Topic
Fractions and percentages including converting between units of measure.
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- Starter
- In-lesson task
- Plenary
- Group work
Plan a festival
45 min
Topic
Percentages of amounts
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Homework
- Independent work
- Project
- In-lesson task
- Group work
Where maths meets the world of work – urban regeneration
60 min
Topic
Version B and C (Foundation and Higher) - problem solving using number and measurement covering area, scale drawings, profit and percentages
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- Starter (the initial part of the resource)
- In-lesson-task
- Homework
- Group work
- Project
Modulo arithmetic
15 mins
Description
This short task is an interesting way of embedding knowledge of operations. It could be combined with the recording of ‘Race to the Target!’ which can be found here
Topic
Operations with modulus
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Starter
- In-lesson task
- Plenary
- Homework
Squared Squares
60 min
Description
This activity combines basic operations with problem solving to discover how squares can be combined into squares. A link to a Numberphile video is included.
Topic
Arithmetic problem solving
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Group work
- Project
Dastardly Digits
30-45 mins
Description
This Maths Club activity support students through the maths behind a ‘mind reading’ trick, providing an engaging and enriching lesson.
Topic
Addition of numbers extending to algebra
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
Equations Mystery
45 mins
Description
This activity develops problem solving skills as students use facts to decipher a message. Students could work on it individually but it is ideal for group work.
Topic
Solving equations and inequalities
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Plenary
- In-lesson task
- Group work
Maths feast - Functions
30 min
Description
This Maths Feast practice round is ideal for encouraging students to develop independent knowledge around this topic.
Topic
Investigation of composite functions
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Homework
- Group work
Artzee Maths
60 mins
Description
This graphing app (Desmos or GeoGebra) based activity engages students by using transformations of functions to create artistic designs – encourage your students to get creative!
Topic
Transformations of functions and graphs
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Independent work
- Group work
- Project
5 & 7 difference
30 min
Topic
Forming and solving simultaneous equations
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Plenary
- Group work
Solving equations maze
30 min
Topic
Solving linear and quadratic equations
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Group work
- Homework
A formula for prime numbers
45 min
Topic
Algebraic proof and prime numbers
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Independent work
- Group work
- Project
Is Greenland bigger than Africa 2
15 mins
Description
This activity encourages students to think about how 2D maps represent a 3D globe. It examines the differences between the Mercator and Peter’s projections which may generate socio-political and mathematical discussions.
Topic
Scale factors, maps
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Starter
- In-lesson task
- Homework
Cable Car
15 mins
Description
This question is available as a poster for displays and is ideal as a starter, plenary or short homework task.
Topic
Ratio, fractions, proportion
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- Starter
- In lesson task
- Homework
- Independent work
- Plenary
Kinematic Extension
60 mins
Description
Examine real life situations using the suvat equations with a structured activity to support students.
Topic
Compound units, modelling
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Independent work
- Project
Problem 12 - Dropped!
30 min
Topic
Repeated percentage change
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Independent work
- Homework
- Plenary
Swimming
30 min
Topic
Ratio, fractions, proportion
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Independent work
- Homework
What can you see?
60 min
Topic
Fractions, area, ratio, properties of shapes, angles, parallel lines
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Group work
Pentagonal Desks
30 min
Topic
Angles
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Starter
- Homework
Building Bridges
60 min
Topic
Similar triangles, angles and length
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Group work
Zigzag Area 1
45 min
Topic
Area and perimeter
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Independent work
- Homework
Hidden treasure
15 mins
Description
Students use clues to identify the location of 5 items of buried treasure.
Topic
loic
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Starter
- Group work
- In-lesson task
- Plenary
- Homework
Quadrilateral Mix-up
30 mins
Description
This activity practices problem solving skills as students sort the properties of shapes for different quadrilaterals. It is ideal for recapping knowledge.
Topic
Quadrilateral properties
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- Starter
- Group work
- In-lesson task
- Plenary
- Homework
Hypercubes
30 mins
Description
This Maths Club Activity is perfect for extending your students ideas about spatial geometry.
Topic
Regular shapes in different dimensions
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Group work
- Independent work
Not my cup of tea
15 min
Topic
Calculating independent and dependent combined events, systematic listing
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- Independent work
- Group work
- Plenary
What are the best sleeping arrangements?
15 min
Topic
Problem solving using a systematic probability scaffold
Ideal for:
Extending understanding
Possible uses:
- Starter
- Independent work
- Group work
- Homework
Fighting the Epidemic
60 min
Topic
Calculating the likelihood of expected outcomes
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- In-lesson task
- Group work
Where’s the maths in that?
15 mins
Description
There are many images to provoke discussion and slide 20 encourages students to discuss ways to combine many flavours. Students could also do surveys, display data, discuss probabilities arising. How would you decide how to run an ice cream shop? Probability in the real world.
Topic
Combinations, investigations
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Starter
- In-lesson task
- Homework
- Project
- Group work
Tornado Alley
15 mins
Description
Students use their interpretation of probabilities to critique a news statement.
Topic
Interpreting probabilities
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Starter
- In lesson task
- Plenary
Geometric Distribution
15 mins
Description
Students develop their knowledge of the geometric distribution by looking at real world situations that can be modelled in this way.
Topic
Interpreting probabilities
Ideal for:
Enriching knowledge
Possible uses:
- Starter
- In-lesson task
- Plenary
- Homework
- Independent work
- Project
Are you sure?
15 mins
Description
Generate discussion about sampling and statistics - how can we draw conclusions?
Topic
Sampling and population statistics
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Starter
- Plenary
- Homework
20 Problems - Problem 15
15 mins
Description
Generate data from summary statistics.
Topic
Mean, median, mode
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Starter
- Plenary
- In-lesson task
- Homework
How fast can you run?
60 mins
Description
Draw and interpret frequency tables, cumulative frequency diagrams, box and whisker and histograms while looking at 100m race times.
Topic
Displaying and Analysing continuous data
Ideal for:
Embedding skills
Possible uses:
- Group work
- In-lesson task
- Project
Other support
Professional development
The AMSP offers professional development for teachers of maths at Key Stages 3 and 4. These opportunities are often free and, in some cases, additional subsidies are available to enable more teachers to participate.
More information Enrichment events
The AMSP can help you with some great ways to engage your 11-16 students with maths, and inspire them to want to continue to study it beyond GCSE.
More information