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Teachers TV
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These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.
Juggling with Algebra
This is a Teachers’ TV programme from the series KS3/4 Maths. In this episode, Year Seven students at St Edward's school get an inspiring introduction to number sequences and algebra courtesy of one teacher's juggling skills.
Head of mathematics, Ian Vallance, spotted the potential of resident juggler and colleague Nicholas Hyde, and decided he could use his skills to create a stimulating and memorable maths lesson. Nicholas Hyde, who is head of science, teaches the Year Seven mathematics students how to analyse juggling techniques to introduce number sequences and algebra. He explains to the students that the juggling world has an accepted notation for the patterns that can be successfully thrown.
This is based on the comparative units of height to which objects need to be thrown by the left and the right hand. The students have a go at juggling and begin to realise the various permutations that are possible and the number patterns involved. The teacher moves them towards what the permutations would be when they don't know how many balls are available.
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