Mathematics teaching materials

Plan a Trip
Numeracy Through Problem Solving

Written by Malcolm Swan, Barbara Binns and John Gillespie with Hugh Burkhardt and the Shell Centre Team. Published by Shell Centre & Longman 1987 - 1989.

The box contains - a Teachers' Guide, 25 Students' Booklets, Photocopying masters, Sample materials.
Price in UK pounds: £25.

Numeracy Through Problem Solving is a sequence of five modules which develop students' ability to use mathematics together with other skills, in tackling problems of concern or situations of interest in everyday life - the original definition of numeracy, which was reinforced by the Cockcroft Report.

In Plan a Trip students plan and undertake a class trip using costings, scheduling, surveys and everyday arithmetic.

• In a card game simulation, groups undertake and record imaginary trips, encounter problems and errors of judgement, then seek to correct them by better planning.
• Groups share ideas of possible places to go and produce a leaflet explaining these ideas. The class then work together to reach a decision on the best destination and look at possible means of transport.
• The class lists, and then shares out and undertakes the preparatory tasks that need to be done before the trip can take place.
• The trip now takes place and, afterwards, the students reflect on what happened.

The five modules have all been designed for pupils of all abilities to complement the GCSE Mathematics curriculum for 16 year olds in England and Wales. Each module is designed to take between 10 and 20 hours to complete. Each provides a theme within which the students take responsibility for planning, organising or designing. They are based around the everyday interests of most students. Students work both individually and in groups and are able to choose which areas of mathematics to deploy. They also implement the results of their own decisions - a vital educational experience!

Students' Booklets (5 copies).
Price in UK pounds: £10.

Here is a sample page.