Creative Maths Activities for Able Students
Ideas for Working with Children Aged 11 to 14
‘This is a book written for busy teachers who want to make mathematics more exciting and more demanding for the able students they teach.’ So begins the introduction to this book – Price continues with ‘My intention is to support teachers to provide opportunities for the most able mathematicians to demonstrate that special excitement experienced when being creative.’ With the such an upbeat introduction setting such high expectations I was similarly enthused to read more.
After the introduction the book gives some thought to the nature of teaching able students, and the author shares her own experiences and thoughts on promoting creativity. An interesting and informed discussion about models for teaching gifted students and a glimpse of the acceleration / enrichment debate follows, then finally some thoughts on the role of the teacher complete this first section and will have given the reader much food for thought. The main section of the book is a set of interesting and creative ideas for use in the classroom. Careful instructions are given, activities range from calculating the volume of an igloo to using ICT to design a quilt. Care is given to describe different ways of working – how to make best use of group work for example. The students’ pages are clearly presented in an easy-to-use photocopyable style. All the ideas look easy to use and quick to prepare – but the commentary around each task helps the reader to design their own activities.
In short this is a very interesting and thought provoking book – it manages to ask questions about how we teach able children but also provides some ideas and some materials to help.
Peter Hall • Imberhorne School, East Grinstead
Creative Maths Activities for Able Students
Ideas for Working with Children Aged 11 to 14
Anne Price
April 2006
Paul Chapman Publishing (£18.99 Paperback, £60 Clothback)
ISBN 1-4129-2044-2 (Clothback) 1-4129-2044-2 (Paperback)
