Resources
Here is a list of most of the resources mentioned by headteachers, teachers and other contributors to this site. The resources includes books, websites, games and activities. Where relevant there are details of how to purchase the materials and an indication of the price.
A Guide to Better Thinking (nferNelson)
Select here for GL Assessment page for this publication
This is aimed at pupils aged 9-12 years. It contains a guide for teachers and a booklet for pupils. It includes activities for pupils to complete, individual workbooks and self-assessment checks.
Price: teacher’s guide, £6.50; pupil’s textbook, £6.50; poster, £5.00.
Apex Maths (Cambridge University Press)
Select here for Cambridge University Press page about these publications
Textbooks for P2-P7 pupils, designed to stretch pupils at all levels and develop their thinking skills. Each book contains 30 problems covering nine strategies, with links to the 5-14 National Guidelines in Mathematics.
Price: teacher’s handbook, £31.75; pupil’s textbook, £5.25
Badger Maths: Problem solving
Select here for Badger Publishing's problem solving resources
Resources to help children practice problem solving.
BEAM Education
Select here for BEAM Education website
BEAM is a specialist mathematics education publisher (part of Nelson Thornes), which produces resources (from books to games and equipment) for pupils aged 3-14 years. It also organises in-service training (INSET) days to help teachers with their approach to teaching maths and problem solving.
Price: varies depending on resource chosen from the company’s extensive range.
Cognitive Acceleration in Mathematics Education (CAME)
Select here for BEAM Education website
CAME is an approach to teaching problem solving that focuses not only on the subject matter but also on how to teach it and why. Courses in the CAME approach to teaching are also available.
Price: £85
Compare Bears
Compare Bears are available in a variety of selling lines including a class pack, which includes: 198 Compare Bears in six different colours, a photocopiable book with resource material and a storage box.
Price: class pack, £79.75
Available from a variety of online retailers of educational products.
Developing Strategies
Available from Publications Department, Auchterderran Staff Development Centre, Woodend Road, Cardenden, Fife KY5 0NE, tel: 01592 414600
Get it Together
Available in the UK from Claire Publications, Tey Brook Craft Centre, Unit 8, Brook Rd, Great Tey, Colchester, Essex CO6 1JE, tel: 01206 211020
Glasgow problem solving pack
Available in the UK from Claire Publications, Tey Brook Craft Centre, Unit 8, Brook Rd, Great Tey, Colchester, Essex CO6 1JE, tel: 01206 211020
Heinemann Maths
Select here for Heinemann primary mathematics for Scotland web page
Select here for Heinemann secondary mathematics for Scotland web page
Heinemann is one of the leading educational publishers in the UK and has a site dedicated specifically to the Scottish curriculum. It provides complete programmes for maths lessons and supplementary material at primary and secondary level. As well as textbooks and handbooks for teachers, software can be purchased for interactive problem solving lessons.
K’NEX
This is a construction toy that combines play and learning. It allows pupils to solve problems physically, using the K’NEX models.
LCP Problem Solving
Select here for LCP web page for this publication
This is a problem solving pack for P4-P7 pupils. It provides wide-ranging teaching notes and suggestions for lesson plans. It covers different strategies and provides different activities for pupils to complete.
Price: £43.95
Lego
Select here for Lego education website
Lego provides a variety of products based around the idea of connectable bricks and mechanics. They also have a number of products aimed specifically at educators, which can be viewed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the homepage.
Price: £5.99 upwards
Let’s Think Through Maths (GL Assessment)
Select here for GL Assessment wepage for this publication
This is a programme designed for 5 and 6 year olds, aiming at developing pupils’ thinking skills through mathematical activities. It covers number, measurement, data handling, space, shape and geometry.
Price: complete set, £92.00
Lothian regional pack
This pack is available for photocopying only. You can get permission by calling Wendy Laird, Edinburgh City Council, on 0131 469 3328. A fee of £10 is payable.
Maths in Action (Nelson Thornes)
Select here for Thornes Education website
Maths in Action is a set of resources for 5-14 year olds, which facilitates a smooth transition from P7 to S1. It covers levels C to E and each level has its own textbook and booklet for teachers, as well as extra materials that complement the activities set out in the textbooks. The course is in line with the 5-14 National Guidelines in Mathematics.
Price: from £10 to £45
Multilink materials
Select here for NES Arnold website
These materials range from cubes to cards and mats. They provide a fun and physical way in which to solve problems and develop problem solving skills.
Price: mats £19.95 each; cards from £9.99 to £21.95; accessories from £7.50 to £99.99
Nelson Maths Challenges (Nelson Thornes)
Select here for Nelson Thornes website
This is a website providing many different maths resources from textbooks to CD-ROMs.
Nrich website
This is a vast online resource containing maths problems, games and articles. It has a weekly problem and an archive of problems dating back to 1997. Solutions are provided with the problems and most problems are printable. It also provides courses.
Scottish Mathematical Challenge
Select here for Scottish Mathematical Council's Mathematical Challenge
The Scottish Mathematical Challenge is a problem solving competition open to primary and secondary students run by the Scottish Mathematical Council. Gold, silver and bronze certificates are awarded and the highest scorers are invited to a prize-giving ceremony, where they are presented with the coveted Mathematical Challenge mug!
Terrapin Logo
Select here for the Terrapin logo page of the Sherston educational software website
This is computer software that develops problem solving and thinking skills. It enhances pupils’ knowledge of shape and space.
Price: from £59.95 to £299.75 (depending on the number of users)
The FunMaths roadshow boxes
Select here for FunMaths website
This resource comprises eight different coloured boxes (relating to level) which each contain 25 mathematical problems. Each problem is displayed on a laminated board with the corresponding materials in folders. It is aimed at pupils aged 10-18 years, including those with special needs.
The Happy Puzzle Company
Select here for the Happy Puzzle Company website
This company provides puzzle challenge days, which can take place at your school. They engender greater communication, team working and thinking skills. Certain resources specifically target pupils with special needs. Resources ranging from books to 3-D puzzles can be bought online or from the catalogue.
Price: maths games from £3.99 to around £19.99
Think Maths (Nelson Thornes)
Select here for Nelson Thornes website
This is a CD-ROM designed specifically for the teaching and learning of problem solving at P1-P7. Each strategy is introduced and demonstrated through 15 individual problems.
Price: from £110 to £220