| The GCSE Maths specification is due for radical | | | | gcse. |
| changes starting from September 2010. To date we | | | | Further, many teachers will look for extra support - |
| have seen the Edexcel Linear, Edexcel Modular, and | | | | both to save time preparing for the 2010 gcse maths |
| AQA modular maths specifications approved by the | | | | specification changes, and to be confident of covering |
| Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency | | | | the required functional and problem solving skills. |
| (QCDA). In practice, what kind of changes can we | | | | Where can you find FREE support? |
| expect? | | | | For many teachers, the first thing to look at is the new |
| According to GCSE examiner Chris Pearce, there will | | | | sample papers. How different do they look? What |
| be very little change in the subject content, so | | | | does assessment of the new assessment objectives |
| teachers will feel reassured to know that they are | | | | look like in practice? |
| teaching familiar topics. What he does see is a greater | | | | You can read the individual specifications and find |
| emphasis on process skills. | | | | sample papers at the links below: |
| "Look, for example, at the new level descriptors for | | | | AQA Maths - |
| grade C and grade F and you will see the change of | | | | Edexcel Maths - |
| emphasis. Can pupils look at a real life situation or | | | | Another great way to get prepared is by reading up |
| problem and choose appropriate mathematics to | | | | on articles by examiners like Chris Pearce. Examiner |
| tackle it? Can they explain what they have found and | | | | articles are often commissioned by publishers or exam |
| relate it to the original problem? For us as teachers it | | | | boards, and can offer help on: |
| means we should be thinking of applications of the | | | | 1) Typical questions teacher's have about the new |
| mathematics we are teaching, sharing these with pupils | | | | exam specifications and answers to them. |
| and using them as part of our teaching." (Chris Pearce, | | | | 2) How to explain the new mark schemes to your |
| Collins Education October Maths Newsletter). | | | | students. |
| In summary, there will be a greater focus on applying | | | | 3) Best practice for teaching the new problem solving |
| mathematics and problem solving. Also, we will see the | | | | questions. |
| introduction of functional maths. Whether it's the | | | | Best of all, these resources can all be 100% free if you |
| Edexcel gcse maths specification or the AQA | | | | know where to find them. |
| specification, teachers will be looking for maths | | | | All the best! |
| textbooks which are well matched to the new maths | | | | |