Hello, and welcome to the depths of autumn!
The nights are drawing in, and we’re edging ever closer to Christmas. But don’t worry, we’re not going to bombard you with nativities and winter crafts just yet.
The busy autumn term is still upon us, and we’ve got a fantastic maths focus this issue to help you get your pupils’ confidence up, analyse where they are now, and what help and support they might need going forward. Jo Austen delves into how to avoid common maths faux pas on page 53, while Kieran Mackle shares his pointers on how best to teach the complex concept of prime numbers to young learners (page 61).
We also have articles from Gareth Metcalfe on breaking down the problem-solving process in maths (page 50) and from John Tomsett on helping children hold onto all that valuable knowledge once the lesson is over (page 58).
“We’ve got a fantastic maths focus this issue to help you get your pupils’ confidence up.”
If you’re looking for more of a chance to develop your foundation subjects before Christmas hits, we’ve also got a wonderful medium-term plan on encouraging composition skills in music, and guiding children through the process of writing their own simple songs. See page 26 for all six lessons, as well as a link to free video examples from Ben Connor.
We also have lesson plans on developing French speaking skills and grammar knowledge, as well as an important focus on the French-speaking world outside of Europe, with a whistle-stop tour of Dakar Fashion Week (page 88); an exploration of the importance of Diwali in different religions and worldviews (page 92); and a rundown of drama games that can help children improve their communication skills and resolve disagreements (page 94).
With all this and more in the pages ahead, I hope you find something to inspire you during the chilly evenings. So grab a cuppa and enjoy!
Charley Rogers – Editor
