Maths Blog

We went on to the topic Scientific Notation/Standard Form which carries on some of the work done in the Powers topic. The class learnt how to change from very large or small numbers into scientific notation and vice versa. This is on the MyMaths website under Library – Number – Standard Form – Standard Form Large and Standard Form Small.

 We then went onto the topic Patterns & Relationships with a reminder of some work done in S1 on finding a pattern for a given sequence of numbers as well as generating numbers in a given sequence. This can be found on the MyMaths website under Library – Algebra – Sequences – Sequences and also nth Term.

 The class had a homework due on Friday 31st January on the Mymaths website (Speed)

The class were reminded that there would be a Test week beginning 17^th February – one period of revision then the test on the following topics – Multiples, Factors & Primes; Powers & Roots; Pythagoras; Estimation & Rounding; Angles & Scale Drawings; Areas of compound shapes, Surface Area & Volume; Speed/Distance/Time; Scientific Notation; Circles as well as Patterns & Relationships. Previous work in S1 & S2 could also be tested.

We continued work on Unit 3 – Numeracy, with Speed/Distance/Time work. This is on the MyMaths website under Library –Shape – Measure – Speed and we also looked at Distance/Time Graphs. Library – Algebra – Graphs – Distance-Time Graphs. The class was issued a homework on the MyMaths website (Speed) with a deadline of Thursday 30th January for completion.

 We also spent one period doing some work on graphs particularly stem & leaf diagrams and this can be found at Library – Data – Processing Data – Stem & Leaf.

 The class had a homework due on Monday 20^th January on the Mymaths website (Ratio Dividing 2) which the majority of the class completed very well (although a few did not do so well even though everyone has been told they should be getting 75% or above when tackling homeworks on the Mymaths website as there are lessons linked with each homework that give examples of how to do the homework and the pupils get instantaneous feedback of how they have done). However there were quite a few individuals who did not do it despite daily reminders and a week in which to do it.

 The class were directed to the SQA website www.sqasolar.org.uk which has online practice assessments for a number of courses, including National 4 – Numeracy. The class were encouraged to practice some of these by following the links to Open Assess, selecting the subject (Mathematics: Nat 4) followed by the assessment (Numeracy) and then creating the assessment followed by launching the assessment. The likelihood is that all pupils sitting National 4 will be enrolled for this, and will then sit their assessment online. So the more practice an individual has now, the better prepared they will be for the assessment.

We went on to the topic Speed/Distance/Time in particular using the appropriate formula for calculating these. This is on the MyMaths website under Library – Shape – Measure – Speed, and we also looked at Distance/Time Graphs. Library – Algebra – Graphs – Distance-Time Graphs. The pupils were once again asked to learn/revise how to convert common fractions into decimal form and how these relate to converting time from hours into minutes in order to perform various calculations. The class was issued a homework on the MyMaths website (Speed) with a deadline of Friday 31st January for completion.