Useful Links - Key Stage Relevance
We have collected, and continue to collect links to other useful websites. It is a tedious job checking they are still live links. If you find any that are dead or that are wrong, please email the Web Editor.
Links on this page have been categorised into Key Stage relevance. Please do not treat this rigidly - there have been things from a Foundation link used at KS5 and things from a KS5 link used in KS1. The key is to use your imagination.
With thanks to Andy Tynemouth of Devon Curriculum Services for permission to use this set of links.
Page Index
Foundation
About Mathmagic
A project set up to provide motivating resources for mathematics problem-solving. Schools can pair up with others to share their investigations. Particularly useful for small schools. A rich source of ideas for the classroom.
Stories
A whole range of stories with a mathematical slant. Great starting points for investigations and discussions.
Math - Elementary
A set of mini-lesson plans for teachers to use to support their teaching and enrich their planning.
Megamath Text Menu
A rich resource for teachers to draw upon in support of their teaching and planning. Is a reference site, a resource site and provides many useful links to other maths related sites.
Key Stage 1
About Mathmagic
A project set up to provide motivating resources for mathematics problem-solving. Schools can pair up with others to share their investigations. Particularly useful for small schools. A rich source of ideas for the classroom.
Problem Pictures
Photographs as excellent starters for maths activities.
Stories
A whole range of stories with a mathematical slant. Great starting points for investigations and discussions.
Math Forum Elementary POW - Current and Past Problems
Provides a regularly changing set of problems and puzzles with guidance notes. Useful for ideas for classroom activities.
The World Clock
Allows children to look up the time in almost any place around the world. The page can be set to update every minute.
IFP Metric Conversion Tables
Allows children to investigate conversions of length, area, volume, mass and temperature between imperial and metric units.
Historical and Geographical Connections
Provides pictures, photographs, historical and geographical background to tessellation. Makes the whole topic come alive.
Math Forum Ask Dr. Math - Elementary School Level
Dr. Math will respond to individual e-mailed questions on mathematics. This is the elementary site at primary school level. Also provides a directory of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).
Megamath Text Menu
A rich resource for teachers to draw upon in support of their teaching and planning. Is a reference site, a resource site and provides many useful links to other maths related sites.
Key Stage 2
Problem Pictures
Photographs as excellent starters for maths activities.
About Mathmagic
A project set up to provide motivating resources for mathematics problem-solving. Schools can pair up with others to share their investigations. Particularly useful for small schools. A rich source of ideas for the classroom.
Indexes of Biographies
Provides biographical information on mathematicians in either alphabetical or chronological order. A good resource for links with history and English.
Stories
A whole range of stories with a mathematical slant. Great starting points for investigations and discussions.
Brain Teasers
Each week new problem-solving activities at each of three levels (8-9 yrs,10-11 yrs and 12+yrs) are posted. Hints are available and solutions provided in the following week. An archive of past problems is also available. Good guidance on strategies for tackling problem-solving.
On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences
Provides a comprehensive means of finding out about, exploring, investigating a vast range of numerical, mathematical and geometrical sequences. Look up references to sequences, puzzle sequences, classic sequences such as the Fibonacci series. A real delve into number magic.
The Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Section
A good source of background material based on the Fibonacci number series together with ideas for lessons and links with art and the natural world.
Math Forum Elementary POW - Current and Past Problems
Provides a regularly changing set of problems and puzzles with guidance notes. Useful for ideas for classroom activities.
Countdown!
Allows children to discover the number of seconds, minutes or hours between any to points in time.
The World Clock
Allows children to look up the time in almost any place around the world. The page can be set to update every minute.
The Interactive Currency Table
Allows children to convert from and to any major currency from around the world.
Collaborative Projects
Provides a whole galaxy of projects that any school can join to share data collection and other mathematicl information. Makes data handling a real world topic.
Fibonacci
Biography of Fibonacci with links to resources, ideas and information about the work of this well-known mathematician.
Chance and Data in the News
Review Reproduces sets of data that are current in the news together with questions which help children consider the validity and the basis on which the data has been collected. It is based in Tasmania but includes much of international interest.
The Birthday Problem
A short lesson in probability. Shows how seemingly complex problems can, actually, be quite straightforward. A relevant activity to introduce some aspects of probability.
IFP Metric Conversion Tables
Allows children to investigate conversions of length, area, volume, mass and temperature between imperial and metric units.
Fraction Shapes
A valuabe resource for teachers looking for additional ideas for introducing and working with fractions particularly exploiting the link with shape.
Untangling the Mathematics of Knots
A completely engrossing site dealing with the fascinating mathematics of knots - both simple and more complex. Ideas and downloadable pictures to support classroom activities.
Historical and Geographical Connections
Provides pictures, photographs, historical and geographical background to tessellation. Makes the whole topic come alive.
Geometry Forum - Shapiro, Geometry Through Art
Creates stimulating links between mathematics and art with the emphasis on geometry, shape and space. Lesson plans, activities and information. Provides vocabulary and materials list at the level of each year group.
A Fractals Lesson
A comprehensive and very readable site covering just about everything there is to know about fractals. There are lesson plans, activities, simple explanations, teacher’s notes and beautiful pictures showing how fractals and nature are so similar and connected.
Types of Symmetry in the Plane
Provides explanation of different types of symmetry as well as activities and ideas for exploring them.
Math - Elementary
A set of mini-lesson plans for teachers to use to support their teaching and enrich their planning.
Math Forum Ask Dr. Math - Elementary School Level
Dr. Math will respond to individual e-mailed questions on mathematics. This is the elementary site at primary school level. Also provides a directory of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).
Megamath Text Menu
A rich resource for teachers to draw upon in support of their teaching and planning. Is a reference site, a resource site and provides many useful links to other maths related sites.
Key Stage 3
Mathematics Enrichment
Cambridge University problem-solving site, especially suitable for more able students. Features a large range of problems with detailed solutions, plus an interactive magazine. Especially useful for enrichment and maths clubs.
Problem Pictures
Photographs as excellent starters for maths activities.
MegaMaths - A usual day in an unusual school
A logic problem of the 'A is telling the truth, B sometimes lies etc.' type based on a three-act ‘play’ in which the characters make assertions giving sufficient information to solve the puzzle (click on the key word “play&rdsquo; to see the text of the play and access the problem. Like otherMegaMath topics, treatment aimed at both students and teachers, with background information and vocabulary.
Index to Puzzle Pages
A site run by the University of Exeter that gives access to puzzle pages, full of both quick puzzles and longer investigations. I have used this page to generate Puzzle of the Week type problems for all my groups to go on the wall. Pupils can compete in Prize Problems.
Fibonacci Numbers and Nature
A large review of Fibonacci numbers and their application in real life. The site could be used when teaching sequences to give background information on this particular sequence. It also generates further points for discussion or work within itself. More useful for teachers than pupils initially.
Magic Squares
This is a selection of different magic squares. The beauty of this site is that it links the squares with their background in terms of history and geography. Designed to foster cross-curricular links, this is best used if all pupils have a terminal, although it could be a teacher resource.
The Casio Classroom - Algebra activities
Order of operations (BODMAS) using a scientific calculator. Students fill in a printable worksheet; the aim is to manufacture numbers 1 to 10 each from four corresponding numbers e.g. (3+3+3) / 3 = 3. A variation on the 4 4’s activity.
MegaMaths - The most colourful math of all
All about map-colouring, from a two-colour problem introduced via a story to the four-colour problem with the associated idea of what is a proof? Like other MegaMath topics, comprehensive and colourful treatment aimed at both students and teachers, with background information, vocabulary, and, usefully, materials required.
Olympic Results
Data of the Olympic records from 1896 for most of the events. Mens and Womens results are given and the results span a period of time, enabling data analysis to be done on several different fronts to give charts and diagrams. Pupils could access the information themselves on the Internet.
UK National Lottery Winning Numbers
A searchable database of all the lottery numbers for the UK National Lottery so far. Could be used for many applications within probability, not least to investigate whether previous numbers have any bearing on what will occur next. Also could generate statistics for graphs. Pupils could be encouraged to come up with their own questions and answer them using the data.
Ken White’s Coin Flipping Page
A page that does exactly what it says - flips coins. This is not only a novel way of investigating probability, but also works out much quicker than physically flipping for pupils that want to flip a large number of coins. Graphics included! A possible alternative introduction to probability.
US Census Bureau - the Official Statistics
Of main interest here are links to three graphs - World population, World Population growth rates and Annual world population change all from 1950 to 2050. These could be used in year 7 to describe graphs, and later to illustrate relationships between the different graphs, perhaps using and including gradients
International Conversion Helper Resources
Of interest on this page are links to currency converters that provide up to date information on converting almost every currency to every other. Excellent for use in any work with conversions. Also available are lists of Metric/Imperial conversions for Measurements of length, weight, temperature etc. Time zone conversions available.
DASL (Data and Story Library)
As teachers, we want to use examples to illustrate the statistical concepts that we teach. A good example can make a lesson on a particular statistical method vivid and relevant. This site gives you access to a large number of examples or “stories&rdsquo;.Probably the best way to start making use of the site is to click on “List all methods&rdsquo; and choose the statistical method or idea that you are interested in (from something as simple as mean to something as complicated as multicollinearity). You will then be given a choice of “stories&rdsquo; to help you introduce or expand on the idea. The beauty of this site is that you can query the database thus being able to search for a possible background story for almost any statistical technique quickly. More applicable for older years.
Key Stage 4
Index to Puzzle Pages
A site run by the University of Exeter that gives access to puzzle pages, full of both quick puzzles and longer investigations. I have used this page to generate Puzzle of the Week type problems for all my groups to go on the wall. Pupils can compete in Prize Problems.
The Casio Classroom - Calculator Problems
Two regularly updated problems for the graphics / programmable calculator. “Problem of the Week&rdsquo; and “High School Challenge&rdsquo;, the latter more challenging. Will appeal to puzzle-lovers. Both carry prizes of calculators each week, and list students sending correct solutions (by e-mail).
PASS (Public Awareness and School Support for Mathematics) Fibonacci
Pass is a quarterly magazine published by a body with its roots in Cambridge and Keele Universities. One of the features in issue 3 Sept 97) is on Fibonacci and the Fibonacci sequence, incorporating the golden ratio (phi), also known as the gold section, sunflowers and a rabbit breeding problem.
Fibonacci Numbers and Nature
A large review of Fibonacci numbers and their application in real life. The site could be used when teaching sequences to give background information on this particular sequence. It also generates further points for discussion or work within itself. More useful for teachers than pupils initially.
Beat the Calculator
A long list of short cuts to use when manipulating numbers. Probably not one to try to memorise, but of more use as a starting point for discussion of why these rules work. This could involve development of algebraic reasoning. There are practical examples for each rule which prove useful.
The Casio Classroom; Graphics Calculator Activities
Dynamic treatment of graphs using a graphics calculator mainly relevant to higher tier GCSE and A-level. Investigation of changing period and amplitude of sine and cosine curves, as well as in-depth treatment of the significance of y-intercept in linear graphs.
Texas Instruments - Geometry Activities
A set of geometrical activities for the TI-83 mainly suitable for higher tier GCSE and A-level. Includes exploration of area of a triangle (by estimation and Hero’s formula), partition of a plane, investigating straight lines.
MegaMaths - Algorithms and ice cream for all
This is all about networks and optimisation. Students have to construct a system of routes that will connect homes to ice cream outlets most efficiently. Like other MegaMath topics, comprehensive and colourful treatment aimed at both students and teachers, with a story, background information, vocabulary, and, usefully, materials required.
Problem Pictures
Photographs as excellent starters for maths activities.
World of Escher - Gallery Home Page
Containing most of the more famous works of Escher in thumbnail form, this site allows you to see these in reasonable detail. As Escher specialised in tesselation, symmetry and impossible objects, this site could be used to illustrate all of these within interesting pictures.
The Joy of Pi
Although this site promotes a book of the same name, it is useful as a starting point for pupils' investigation of the number “pi&rdsquo;. It lists pi to many decimal places and enables examination of it’s non-recurrent nature. It also contains good links to other sites to continue the investigation.
DASL (Data and Story Library)
As teachers, we want to use examples to illustrate the statistical concepts that we teach. A good example can make a lesson on a particular statistical method vivid and relevant. This site gives you access to a large number of examples or “stories&rdsquo;.Probably the best way to start making use of the site is to click on “List all methods&rdsquo; and choose the statistical method or idea that you are interested in (from something as simple as mean to something as complicated as multicollinearity). You will then be given a choice of “stories&rdsquo; to help you introduce or expand on the idea. The beauty of this site is that you can query the database thus being able to search for a possible background story for almost any statistical technique quickly. More applicable for older years.
US Census Bureau - the Official Statistics
Of main interest here are links to three graphs - World population, World Population growth rates and Annual world population change all from 1950 to 2050. These could be used in year 7 to describe graphs, and later to illustrate relationships between the different graphs, perhaps using and including gradients
Ken White’s Coin Flipping Page
A page that does exactly what it says - flips coins. This is not only a novel way of investigating probability, but also works out much quicker than physically flipping for pupils that want to flip a large number of coins. Graphics included! A possible alternative introduction to probability.
Chance and Data in the News
Data collection, sampling, representation and probability explored via newspaper articles, each of which features a discussion and link to associated topics. This is an Australian site, and the antipodean context of the articles is an occasional drawback. A good resource nevertheless for tackling interpretation of data. Good links with literacy too.
UK National Lottery Winning Numbers
A searchable database of all the lottery numbers for the UK National Lottery so far. Could be used for many applications within probability, not least to investigate whether previous numbers have any bearing on what will occur next. Also could generate statistics for graphs. Pupils could be encouraged to come up with their own questions and answer them using the data.
World POPClock
A regularly updated population clock for the world is included here. Of interest as it is so current, the large numbers give plenty of opportunity to practice both rounding and standard form in context. Also included are figures for the last few months and projected figures for the next few.
Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching - Resources
Run by the University of Exeter, this site has a selection of worksheets covering various subjects in an applied context. Examples include sheets on the maths within Bar Codes and Genetic Fingerprinting. These sheets provide a refreshing alternative to standard exercises on specific topics and could be used for extension.
Key Stage 5
Index to Puzzle Pages
A site run by the University of Exeter that gives access to puzzle pages, full of both quick puzzles and longer investigations. I have used this page to generate Puzzle of the Week type problems for all my groups to go on the wall. Pupils can compete in Prize Problems.
Prime numbers
All about primes, especially big ones. Suitable mainly for A-level students, but possibly of interest to enquiring minds of all ages. Contains introduction - what are primes? Plus various attempts to see some sort of order in the primes.
Beat the Calculator
A long list of short cuts to use when manipulating numbers. Probably not one to try to memorise, but of more use as a starting point for discussion of why these rules work. This could involve development of algebraic reasoning. There are practical examples for each rule which prove useful.
Dave’s Maths Page - Conics
This part of the site is directed mainly at A-level; part of a large miscellaneous site which often falls into the trap of trying to imitate a book, but there are some useful sections. Students may find the geometrical representation of conic sections more helpful than those found in textbooks.
Vectors
It has applets to help understand concepts like the dot product and cross product, and great circle distances. Spherical and polar coordinates are illustrated and the vector equations of lines and planes are explained and used to show how to perform some simple shortest distance calculations.
Vectors
Geometer’s Sketchpad is required to utilize this site. If you use this software, then this site is a must for a teaching aid to vectors at KS5. It not only takes students through a basic course on vectors, it enables them to manipulate vectors themselves on screen to aid understanding.
DASL (Data and Story Library)
As teachers, we want to use examples to illustrate the statistical concepts that we teach. A good example can make a lesson on a particular statistical method vivid and relevant. This site gives you access to a large number of examples or “stories&rdsquo;.Probably the best way to start making use of the site is to click on “List all methods&rdsquo; and choose the statistical method or idea that you are interested in (from something as simple as mean to something as complicated as multicollinearity). You will then be given a choice of “stories&rdsquo; to help you introduce or expand on the idea. The beauty of this site is that you can query the database thus being able to search for a possible background story for almost any statistical technique quickly. More applicable for older years.
UK National Lottery Winning Numbers
A searchable database of all the lottery numbers for the UK National Lottery so far. Could be used for many applications within probability, not least to investigate whether previous numbers have any bearing on what will occur next. Also could generate statistics for graphs. Pupils could be encouraged to come up with their own questions and answer them using the data.
Texas Instruments - Statistics Activities
A set of statistical activities for the TI-83 mainly suitable for A-level. Includes fitting an equation to bivariate data (based on population growth data), modelling growth and decay, generating Poisson, Normal, Binomial distributions and more.
The Integrator
The Integrator takes any integral you require evaluating and, given several seconds, integrates it for you. Advantages are that pupils can check their integrations via the Web and will receive an accurate answer. Disadvantages are that the format for entering integrals and reading the reply has to be learnt first.
Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching - Resources
Run by the University of Exeter, this site has a selection of worksheets covering various subjects in an applied context. Examples include sheets on the maths within Bar Codes and Genetic Fingerprinting. These sheets provide a refreshing alternative to standard exercises on specific topics and could be used for extension.
<< Tell me about dead, links, or recommend new links
