Teaching resources for mathematics

Mathematical resource for exploring the decomposition of square numbers.

Secondary mathematics learning resources

Our development editor is a qualified teacher of secondary mathematics. She has edited revision guides for the secondary mathematics curriculum (Scholastic – opens in new window) and textbooks for a Mastery programme in primary mathematics education (Pearson Power Maths – opens in new window). She has also written mathematics learning resources for the Hamilton Trust.

Rachel is interested in developing new and innovative maths-related education resources, as the following subsections demonstrate.

Tessellation activities for rich mathematics tasks

These tiles are designed around mathematical concepts and are beautifully illustrated to help childen enjoy learning about tessellation by manipulating and fitting together the tiles. These projects have been designed but not yet manufactured, hence sponsorship, or an offer to publish, is sought.

Penrose tessellations

The kite and dart tiles discovered by Roger Penrose relate to the angles within a pentagon and also to the golden ratio. They can tile the plane in an infinite number of non-repeating patterns.

Decorative Penrose tiles in three colour variants.

Rachel Beckett has designed three different pairs of visually beautiful Penrose tiles, with colour variants. So far, she has developed a range of greetings cards [opens in separate website] based on these designs, but they could also be produced as actual tiles to assemble into patterns, as colour-in sheets for children to make their own Penrose tiles, or as surface patterns to apply to other products [opens in Redbubble website].

Hinged square

The hinged square is a fascinating mathematical construct – a square that can open out on ‘hinges’ (pivotal points) and fold round to become an equilateral triangle. The dimensions and angles are obviously extremely precise. This resource could be produced as actual tiles, or as colour-in sheets for children to assemble their own hinged squares.

Hinged equilateral triangle deconstructed into four colourful tiles.

Hinged square constructed from the same four colourful tiles.

Functional mathematics skills project

The aim of this project is to present mathematical techniques from across the GCSE syllabus in the context of authentic and plausible real-life situations where those techniques would be useful. This would make the mathematics relevant and engaging, including for abler mathematics students. The project would consist of online resources – a series of worked PowerPoints – with an accompanying booklet, or similar.