It's June. SATS are over, GCSEs and A-Levels are well underway, and the T20 season is upon us, not to mention the 70th anniversary of our Queen's reign; an unprecedented achievement.

So sorry that this is a bit later than usual. The truth is, since getting Covid in April, I keep experiencing the sudden onset of extreme tirendess, and am unable to function unless I stop and rest. I'm told by my GP that this is entirely normal for up to 12 weeks after Covid so I'm not panicking, but it is frustrating nevertheless.

OK, let's dive in.
HERE'S WHAT'S IN JUNE'S EDITION:

1. Website of the Month: Witeboard.com
2. The Google Dice Roller 
3. Fun Jubilee Maths Resource for all ages
4. Podcast Latest
5. GD in Nottingham, Algebra in Kettering
6. The Problem-Solving Company
7. Puzzle of the Month
1. Website of the Month: Witeboard.com

It looks as though online teaching and learning will continue to be part of the educational landscape for the foreseeable future..

With that in mind, and given the number of ways in which we can screen-share these days, I'd like to recommend this website.

Very simple and uncluttered- but one of my favourite features is that if you draw a freehand circle or rectangle it will 'fix it' for you (with the option to undo the 'fix' as well.)

This sets witeboard apart from a few other things I've tried - let me know what you reckon.
2. Google Dice Roller

I wish I'd known about this years ago! Online dice are ten a penny, of course, but I particularly like this one because of its versatility. It has 4,6,8,10,12 and 20-sided dice.

Not only this, but you can have as many or as few of each type as you wish, and combine them too. This would be useful for secondary teachers wishing to model combined probabilites, for example, or even decision maths. 

There's even a feature where you can automatically add or subtract numbers to a dice roll or total, so you can generate random numbers in any range you choose. For example, if I wanted a random number between 0 and 9, I could select the 10-sided dice and set the adjuster to -1. Bingo. Here's the link.

3. Jubilee Maths Resource for (nearly) all ages

For a bit of fun I've created a SATS-style resource to use as part of your Jubilee celebrations. It turns out that all the answers are 70 (or 7t; geddit?)

Imagine telling your classes they can't go until they've passed a maths exam, then giving them this and waiting for the penny to drop!

So far it's been downloaded from the TES 730 times (but somehow with just a single review, and even that was from a friend!).

Get it from here.
4. Podcast Latest News

Thanks to those of you who took the trouble to send us such lovely feedback about our Stratford-Upon-Avon episode, it's always appreciated.

How do you top that? Well - we're biased, of course, but Rob and I reckon the forthcoming episode is going to be a cracker!

So, in the spirit of the podcast itself, here's a puzzle...which historic place in the UK would you think of  as the rightful home of maths puzzles? Or should we say, of mathematical enigmas? That's where we were, and where we met two fascinating historians, who talked us through one of the greatest maths puzzles ever to be solved.

To find out, wait until our new episode drops - to listen to any you've missed check out every episode here.
5. GD in Nottingham, Algebra in Kettering

On Fiday 24th of this month I'll be giving a Keynote speech to the East Midlands East Hub primary maths conference around 'Greater Depth for ALL'. Those of you who know we will not be surprised to hear that this is a passion of mine, so I can't wait. Not to mention you get a chance to hear the faulous Emma McCrae, of whom I am a certified fan. Details here.

The following day, I'll be in Kettering at MathsConf29. I'm doing a seminar on algebra: why it seems to be the topic that divides students like no other, and how we can prevent the fear and misunderstandings that surround this powerful engine of maths.

I hope you can join me - tickets are great value, as presenters don't charge for these events so overheads are low. Grab one here. Not only that, but we will also be recording the season finale of the podcast - you could even feature!

6. The Problem-Solving Company

I was performing at a big event in the Midlands recently, and I had the pleasure of watching this great team do their thing.

The children were enthralled by their cleverly designed escape rooms, and also really engaged by the well-organised practical activities running at the other end of the hall.

Mention my name when booking and they'll give you 10% off (I will not get any sort of commission or payment in kind from this, but I really rate what they do and wanted to help share their work).

7. Puzzle of the Month

Last month's puzzle (a rollover):

Next year Anna will be 28. Two days ago she was 25. On what date is Anna's birthday?

SOLUTION: The only way this is possible is if the date were 1st Jan, and Anna celebrated her 26th birthday yesterday (on 31st December) meaning that two days ago she was still 25. She will turn 27 on the last day of this year, and hence turn 28 on the last day of next year.

The first correct student entry was from Logan Smith in Scotland. Well done Logan!

Here's this month's puzzle for your students to have a go at. It's a classic, so you may have seen it before...

That concludes the newsletter for June {{customFields.554979}}.  I hope you enjoy the Jubilee Festivities this weekend!

Andrew x
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