| GCSE
Maths Modular Exam (3 March 2008) |
| Dear Parent/Guardian
|
RE: Year 10 GCSE Mathematics
Module Exam
(all students except Mr Love's, Mrs
Hossack's and Ms Bateson's groups). |
 |
I write to remind you that your
child has a GCSE Maths modular exam on 3 March. |
| The focus of this paper is on
aspects of Number, Algebra and Shape and Space. Students have
received individual module content booklets - a copy of this
document is also available on the college website (see below).
|
| All groups are coming to the end
of the teaching period for this paper and students are expected
to spend appropriate amounts of time revising for this important
exam which is worth 30% of the full GCSE. |
| Parents often ask us to provide
assistance on the type of work students should be doing to aid
them in fulfilling their potential - the answer is that there
isn't one 'best method' but that each individual will have revision
techniques that are most efficient for them. It is possible,
however, to provide a list of those activities that are most
commonly helpful: |
Completing questions from 'past papers' to gain familiarity
with question styles, identifying any 'gaps' of knowledge and
then using resources such as the internet, Letts revision guides,
friends etc. to refresh knowledge on these topics. |
|
Using questions from the Letts revision guides and workbook
or similar in a manner not dissimilar from that for past papers.
|
|
Writing 'flash cards' of key topics and methods. Parents
can then give their child a 'quick quiz' on key topics. |
|
Writing 'flash cards' with a single question (from a text
book, past paper or similar) on one side and a fully correct
answer (with explanation) on the other. Parents can then pick
a question at random and the student must write out a complete
solution for the parent to check. |
|
Students can gain an added understanding by having to explain
their method to a solution to another person such as a parent.
This makes the student think carefully about the method rather
than just applying some algorithm they have remembered. |
|
Drawing mind maps of linking ideas, topics and methods.
|
| Using
web-sites with dedicated mathematical revision pages (eg. mymaths.co.uk) |
| We have recently invested in a
years subscription to mymaths.co.uk
which we feel provides another useful revision tool for students.
The site covers the entire GCSE specification and includes 'lessons'
(where topics are explained), 'online homeworks' (where students
answer questions and get instant feedback) and worksheets (which
are similar to the homeworks but targeted at specific GCSE grades).
|
| There is a powerpoint
presentation on the pupil website that illustrates some
of the functions of the website (including the facility for
you to monitor the work your child has completed). |
| GCSE Mathematics Module 1 booklets: |
|
|
| If you have any specific questions
regarding revision materials or would like more details about
mymaths.co.uk please
feel free to contact me at the college. |
| Can I also take this opportunity
to make an impassioned plea for you all to assist your children
in ensuring that they arrive to the exams with the full set
of equipment. |
 |
Pupils must bring to the exam (in a clear pencil
case): |
A black or blue pen (obviously a spare would be useful!).
A HB pencil (again a spare or a sharpener would be good).
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A 30 cm ruler marked in cm and mm.
A rubber.
A calculator (scientific for higher tier). |
| Additionally it would be helpful to your child
if |
| they also brought to the exam:
|
A compass
A protractor |
| We have small amounts of equipment
to lend out in genuine emergencies but we are unable to guarantee
that we will be able to lend students the above equipment that
they should be bringing to every maths lesson. |
| Please do not assume that your
child will come prepared - over 1 in 3 students in Year 10 are
coming to school without a calculator each day. Their GCSE results
will suffer as a result! Get them to lay out their equipment
the night before the exam to show you. |
| Thank you in advance for your support,
|
Mr S Wren [
]
Head of Mathematics |
| (E-mails will be received through
the general college address and should not be used to send confidential
or sensitive pupil information.) |
|
Amended Wednesday 6 February 2008 |
