5 Tools You Need to Succeed at GCSE Maths
Have you been into town yet? The shops have all the Back to School signs up, and all the stationery is sitting there to tempt us. I used to LOVE choosing my pencil case! As your young person goes into year 10 and 11, there are certain items required to enable them to fully access the curriculum. I’ve compiled this list of the things you need to give them the best chance at success:
1. Scientific Calculator
I know I say this A LOT but with two-thirds of the GCSE maths as calculator papers,and scientific calculators are powerful tools, this really makes a massive difference!
If you don’t know which calculator to get then I explain how to make that decision here:
2. Maths Construction Equipment
Why did the maths teacher get stopped at the airport? Because they were found with weapons of Maths construction!
Seriously though your young person needs their own compasses, protractor, pencil and ruler. I always recommend having their own so that they know that they can use and don’t get thrown when one isn’t quite the same. Also make sure those compasses have been tightened.
Of course, they have to be able to use them. My video for using compasses is here:
3. Revision Guides
Young people in my classes always found it helpful to have a GCSE revision guide throughout the whole of years 10 and 11. Don’t just leave it until they are revising in year 11! By having a guide that you can use from the start, they can refer to it and get help. They can also do the odd question after learning a topic, using the forgetting curve to their advantage.
I’ve written a handy explanation of the different revision guides which you can purchase here:
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£7.99A Guide to Learning Styles This 27 page downloadable book...
4. Record Cards or Notebook
Throughout the GCSE formulae and vocabulary for maths will come up that they need to memorise. I recommend that they have record cards or a notebook which they jot these in, ready to refer to and then memorise.
5. Coloured pens/highlighters
This is especially important if they are a visual learner (get my free VARK questionnaire here to see what their learning preferences are). They need to highlight and use colours throughout the years to help them understand their notes. Even if they aren’t a visual learner now, they can work on this technique and enhance their preferences, as the best learners use a mix of the styles.
There is a lot to think about in preparing for GCSE maths, and I’m here to help. Get my friendly advice in my free facebook group.