Task Maths

by Derek Ball and Barbara Ball

Published 13 February 1991
The "Task Maths for Key Stage 4" provides complete coverage of all 5 Attainment Targets in the form of theme-based tasks with optional coursework extensions. The importance of Attainment Target 1 - "Using and applying mathematics" - is recognized throughout. The tasks are relevant to all students, providing a sense of purpose. Throughout these open-ended tasks, students learn mathematical skills, and gain knowledge and understanding in contexts where they can be used. Each task is introduced by an activity and then developed by means of a series of questions of increasing difficulty to cater for students working at different levels of Key Stage 4. Tasks are suitable for both individual and group work. Each chapter ends with a number of coursework tasks, some of which are intended to enable all students to explore the theme of the chapter in more depth. In addition to the chapters, there are review exercises organized into syllabus topics which provide consolidation and revision. The exercises include GCSE examination questions, giving students examination practice.
Resources for the series are: two students' books; each students'book is accompanied by a teacher's resource book which outlines compliance with the National Curriculum, and provides support for the coursework tasks, giving guidance on such aspects as time and the use of equipment, for example, computers. Detailed help is given with the assessment of coursework by way of example responses and guidelines for assessment. The coursework tasks are open-ended, challenging students to approach each activity in their own way. However, support is offered by providing ideas about how coursework tasks might be tackled; one pack of copymasters to accompany students' books 4 and 5; and "Task Maths" software disks for books 4 and 5, available for Archmides, RM Nimbus and BBC formats.

The "Task Maths for Key Stage 4" provides complete coverage of all 5 Attainment Targets in the form of theme-based tasks with optional coursework extensions. The importance of Attainment Target 1 - "Using and applying mathematics" - is recognized throughout. The tasks are relevant to all students, providing a sense of purpose. Throughout these open-ended tasks, students learn mathematical skills, and gain knowledge and understanding in contexts where they can be used. Each task is introduced by an activity and then developed by means of a series of questions of increasing difficulty to cater for students working at different levels of Key Stage 4. Tasks are suitable for both individual and group work. Each chapter ends with a number of coursework tasks, some of which are intended to enable all students to explore the theme of the chapter in more depth. In addition to the chapters, there are review exercises organized into syllabus topics which provide consolidation and revision. The exercises include GCSE examination questions, giving students examination practice.
Resources for the series are: two students' books; each students'book is accompanied by a teacher's resource book which outlines compliance with the National Curriculum, and provides support for the coursework tasks, giving guidance on such aspects as time and the use of equipment, for example, computers. Detailed help is given with the assessment of coursework by way of example responses and guidelines for assessment. The coursework tasks are open-ended, challenging students to approach each activity in their own way. However, support is offered by providing ideas about how coursework tasks might be tackled; one pack of copymasters to accompany students' books 4 and 5; and "Task Maths" software disks for books 4 and 5, available for Archmides, RM Nimbus and BBC formats.