Working Well: C1 In Addition To C2

I'm feeling pretty positive most my Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 aeroplane instruction this year. I catch it powerfulness hold upward worth sharing the things that I've been doing a flake differently. If you lot instruct Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 level, delight comment below or tweet me to say me what changes you've made to your approach over the years that conduct keep had a positive touching on your students.

Context
I instruct at a boys' comprehensive school, having moved in that place from a girls' grammer schoolhouse inward 2015. This twelvemonth I conduct keep my largest ever Year 12 class, alongside 27 students. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 quarter of the students inward my aeroplane got a B at GCSE, as well as I also conduct keep a few potent mathematicians who got an A* at GCSE as well as a distinction inward Certificate of Further Maths. So the aeroplane is a really mixed grouping alongside varying levels of prior knowledge. Their target grades gain from an Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 to a D. When I showtime started instruction this aeroplane they were really chatty. Because of the size of the aeroplane it felt to a greater extent than similar Year eleven than Year 12. In Oct I introduced a seating innovation - the showtime fourth dimension I conduct keep had to create hence for 6th cast - as well as things improved immediately. The aeroplane has matured a lot since hence as well as they are at nowadays focused as well as difficult working. I'm hopeful for plenty of As this summer. The size of the aeroplane is non every bit much of a work every bit I catch it would hold upward - the primary touching is on my mark workload.

Here are some of the things I conduct keep changed this year...

1. Modelling practiced work
In the showtime few weeks of Year 12 I made a large fuss most the presentation of work. I clarified my expectations past times taking photos of practiced function as well as displaying these photos on the board when I returned homeworks. Students were visibly proud when I showed their function on the board.

The residuum of the aeroplane hence knew exactly what I was looking for. I gave detailed written feedback on the showtime couplet of homeworks as well as it wasn't long earlier I was getting a practiced criterion of presentation from all students, alongside good lay out workings as well as clear mathematical notation.

I lately marked a coordinate geometry homework as well as was pleased past times how many students had made role of clear diagrams to solve problems - this was far improve than inward previous years. I recollect this improvement is a straight outcome of my continued modelling of best do as well as making my expectations crystal clear.

2. Vertical binomial
This is a fry affair just I actually recollect it made a difference... Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 couplet of years agone I read a blog post which suggested a vertical layout for binomial expansions:

I taught it this way for the showtime fourth dimension this year. I recollect students were improve able to follow what I was doing on the board. Every students' expansions were ready out vertically inward their mid-C2 assessment, resulting inward clear, systematic workings as well as accurate answers. I volition definitely role the vertical layout over again side past times side year.

3. Formulae
In September I handed a 'test me' bill of fare to every pupil as well as told them to inquire their parents, friends or siblings to essay them on the quadratic formula at home.

The side past times side lesson I had them work upward exterior the classroom as well as asked each pupil to recite the formula to me at the door! Good fun. 25 out of 27 got it correct showtime time. I volition role this approach over again inward future.

4. Grid method
I showtime wrote about alternatives to algebraic long partitioning here, just I didn't instruct the grid method properly until this year. I practised it extensively as well as decided that it is both to a greater extent than conceptually clear as well as to a greater extent than efficient than long division, just I was however nervous most instruction a method that is non widely taught. I took the plunge as well as was hence pleased that I did! Even the weakest students picked it upward immediately. I'm certain I'm seeing less giddy mistakes than I used to alongside long division.

5. Logs
I introduced logs using the 'power' approach explained inward blog post which suggested a vertical layout for binomial expansions:

I taught it this way for the showtime fourth dimension this year. I recollect students were improve able to follow what I was doing on the board. Every students' expansions were ready out vertically inward their mid-C2 assessment, resulting inward clear, systematic workings as well as accurate answers. I volition definitely role the vertical layout over again side past times side year.

3. Formulae
In September I handed a 'test me' bill of fare to every pupil as well as told them to inquire their parents, friends or siblings to essay them on the quadratic formula at home.

The side past times side lesson I had them work upward exterior the classroom as well as asked each pupil to recite the formula to me at the door! Good fun. 25 out of 27 got it correct showtime time. I volition role this approach over again inward future.

4. Grid method
I showtime wrote about alternatives to algebraic long partitioning here and blog post which suggested a vertical layout for binomial expansions:

I taught it this way for the showtime fourth dimension this year. I recollect students were improve able to follow what I was doing on the board. Every students' expansions were ready out vertically inward their mid-C2 assessment, resulting inward clear, systematic workings as well as accurate answers. I volition definitely role the vertical layout over again side past times side year.

3. Formulae
In September I handed a 'test me' bill of fare to every pupil as well as told them to inquire their parents, friends or siblings to essay them on the quadratic formula at home.

The side past times side lesson I had them work upward exterior the classroom as well as asked each pupil to recite the formula to me at the door! Good fun. 25 out of 27 got it correct showtime time. I volition role this approach over again inward future.

4. Grid method
I showtime wrote about alternatives to algebraic long partitioning here.

Still improving... 
I haven't yet worked out what to create alongside the students who are probable to learn a U this summer. They attend weekly intervention afterward schoolhouse just unfortunately it's non plenty - in that place are meaning gaps inward their underlying knowledge. Ideas gratefully received! At my previous schoolhouse I taught a daughter who worked at a U all twelvemonth as well as hence ended upward alongside a C, hence I know it's possible for a pupil to plough it around.

The fourth dimension pressure level to learn through all the content earlier the summertime exams agency instruction 6th cast e'er feels similar a race against the clock. I actually savour instruction Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 aeroplane though. It's a shame that this is the final fourth dimension we'll hold upward instruction C1 as well as C2. I volition miss these modules! It has been such a pleasance to instruct them.