Bryn

The main objection I see is that having children write Valentine's cards in this way is very American. About as American as using the word "agendas."

​Edinburgh Fringe Recommendations ⭐: https://brynspiration.micro.blog/2025/08/08/edinburgh-fringe-recommendations.html

258 + 4: they got 2, carried the one so got 5 +4 + 1 to get 10, so 0 carry 1. Then 2 + 4 + 1 = 7.
Basically they added 4 every time, so 444?
I'm guessing they worked without the column method, they worked sideways? Maybe abusing the equal sign?

Before teaching I would say "centimetres squared", now I always say "square centimetres." I want to emphasise the square as a shape, rather than as a little 2, in the minds of the students. I don't think the other way is wrong, it's just more algebraic than geometric in how it comes across.

A weird test gives you a quarter of a mark for each question. Martha scores half a mark, out of a maximum of 1 1/4 marks. Martha got 2 questions correct out of 5.

The project covers reading from charts, substitution into formulae, using ratio and metric conversion. I ran this with the main aim of giving S1 students something fun, with real life applications, that would boost confidence. Notes and resources: drive.google.com/file/d/1Ju8l...

Baby doll on scales, with worksheet and medicine

#todayinmaths we "Saved that baby". The end of a four week project where students use some formulae, charts, and measuring skills to work out the dosage of medicine needed for saving a baby.

Open intro!
www.openintro.org/data/
All real and have sources listed, and because they appear in a textbook they tend to need little to no tidying.

I know I gesticulate too much when I talk because I hit my 10,000 steps today during parents evening.

New! My 184th gems post. Ideas, updates and resources for maths teachers. 💎

www.resourceaholic.com/2025/01/5-ma...

#UKMathsChat #MathsToday

Yes, apparently the mobile apps treat +x% as an increase by that percent. Useful in a way, but should definitely come with a health warning.

10 + 10 + 5% = 21 as displayed on an Android calculator app.

So apparently 5% = 1 on your mobile phone calculator. Good to know!

Introduced Σ to S2 today, as we were finding the mean, and then working backwards to find the sum of datasets. Apparently the word "sigma" is quite exciting for them!

From the theydidthemath community on Reddit: [Request] how much more/less efficient is this pizza packing method compared to the traditional circular pizza? Posted by bobbster574 - 728 votes and 85 comments

Link: www.reddit.com/r/theydidthe...

Here's a prompt from Reddit. What's the better way of packing, this way or the traditional full circle?

YouTube video by Numberphile Way Bigger Than Graham's Number (Goodstein Sequence) - Numberphile

Excited to make by debut on Numberphile. Here's me talking about an "unprovable theorem" and some very big numbers.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Le7...

A very questionable bar graph relating to goals scored by Vardy, Kane and Rooney, whoever they are!

New bad graph just dropped.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

#ScottishMaths

The @bsky.app community is growing! Who to follow:

@mistercorzi.bsky.social
@mrwilsoncompsci.bsky.social
@segarrogers.bsky.social
@brynspiration.bsky.social
@garyl.bsky.social
@mrallanmaths.bsky.social
@khuntermaths.bsky.social
@missdicksonmaths.bsky.social
@maths-geek.bsky.social

Teaching Higher Apps? Sign up for the Higher Apps Q&A this Saturday, 9.30am, online. Details on the Scottish Maths Teachers Team page.

At attempt at a diagram.
The difference of b and c removed from a is the same as removing b from a and then adding c.

Every parents evening I come away feeling refreshed and enthused, and yet it always comes as a surprise!
And now for the inevitable takeaway... 🍕

That's fun. My instinct was to multiply by 4 and compare with 8, which is much easier.

Inspired by something from @rhymeswithspecimen.bsky.social, here is a puzzle:

Without a calculator, decide if
√2+π/4 is more than or less than 2.

Also (though it possibly needs some rearranging) made a "Sometimes, Always, Never" on parts of a circle that I've got to say... I'm pretty chuffed with 👍
#mathschat

“Infinite” in maths and “definite” in not maths are related in that definite stems from “bounded within limits” (think “defined”) and infinite means unbounded without limits. So now you’ll never spell “definite” incorrectly again. You’re welcome. 😉

It's true, a kind internet stranger taught me this 20 years ago and I never wrote "defiantly" again. Etymology is the best remedy for poor spelling.

2 multiplied by negative 3, drawn as a vector.

Negative 2 multiplied by negative 3, drawn as a vector.

In #mathstoday we looked at multiplying by a negative as changing direction. Nice to link with enlargements and reflections too!

(Shouldn't need to add this but would need to on twitter: obviously there's not a causation, but for me ditching blazers was emblematic of a lowering of expectations and rejection of schools as a place of academic learning that fueled a sharp decline in standards.)

I admit I'm scarred from my own experience as a student on this. Our school ditched the blazer and everything went to pot. School went from being everyone's top choice to fireworks being set off in the corridor during my time there. School no longer exists now of course.

Scottish government guidance:
Blazers as school uniform ❌
Mobile phones in schools 🤷

I look forward to my lessons no longer being interrupted by those pesky blazers.