As detailed here there was an intention to create resources that were compatible with IWBs and iPads.  Unfortunately as detailed here technology is not at the point where this can be done at the moment.  As such this resource is aimed directly at the iPad.  It should work on Internet Explorer 9, Safari and Firefox 7 but there are so many differing possible set ups that they can’t be guaranteed.  This resource is largely a copy of the Difference Triangle Resource but with different graphics to work in a lesson I teach where the puzzle is also shown using physical pool balls. 

The challenge is to swap the pool balls until each ball is the absolute difference of the two below it.  Note the difference is always the larger number minus the smaller one.  Hence 5 and 3 have a difference of 2 as do 3 and 5.  A flashing ring around a ball indicates that it is not the correct absolute difference of the 2 below. The absence of a flashing ring shows that the difference is correct but it does not mean that the location of the ball is correct.  When all balls are placed correctly the player will be informed.

Obviously if you are able to use it with an iPad you can set it as a solo or small group challenge.  The resource can be saved to the iPad by selecting to save it to the home screen where it will perform as an app off the app store.

There is an article on how the similar Difference Triangle can be used in lessons on the supporting site to this teacherledplus.com.

Go to iPad Poolball Challenge

Please comment on the use of this resource but hold in mind that it is targetted at iPad rather than IWB.

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This is the second in the series of Mission to Mars resources for use in a space themed set of lessons.  A more detailed description of how I use this resource and the thinking behind its creation can be found at the supporting site teacherledplus.

This is another IWB resource to allow you to easily build in a thinking skills aspect to your lessons.  This resource encourages children to display persistence and develop their thinking strategies as well as record progress.  The mission is detailed on the opening screen of the resource.  In essence the challenge is to visit each of the squares in the grid with the mars rover in 12 moves (the absolute minimum).  Restrictions are enforced in that the rover can only turn in multiples of 45 degrees. 

Tap a square that you want the mars rover to move to.  If it is a valid square it will move if not it won’t.  You can click on already visited squares.  Every square the mars rover explores by moving through will be illuminated.  If you illuminate all squares and return to the start using no more than 12 waypoints the challenge is completed with 100% efficiency.  This is possible but will usually require a lot of effort to achieve.  Doing it in 13 is not too difficult and their are a number of ways of doing that but 12 is a great challenge.  Ideas for making this more achievable  for all children are given on the supporting site mentioned above.

Restart will clear the current progress.  Briefing will show the mission constraints.

Get more ideas about this resource at teacherledplus.

Go to the the IWB resource.

If you need the solution please ask in the comments.  It will not be sent for a couple of days to avoid homework cheating.  If you use what is clearly a staff email address I will try to send it quicker but cannot guarantee this.

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This IWB resource is designed to introduce students to the challenge of completing a Difference Triangle.    If you want to introduce a problem based lesson this resource should save you some planning and preparing time.  This resource can be used to show students the concept on the IWB.  When a student has solved it their answer can be checked by entering it into the resource.  If it all turns green it is correct.  It can also be used for the focus of a group based attempt to solve it.  In the completed triangle each number is the absolute difference of the two below it.  For example 5 is the difference between 4 and 9 and it is the difference between 9 and 4.   In effect it is the higher number minus the lower number.  On this resource a number that is the difference between the two below it will illuminate green.  This does not mean that the numbers are in the correct place.  It only means that the difference is correct.  The bottom numbers are independent of other numbers so will always show green. 

This is a problem that requires a lot of work to solve but rewards thinking the problem thr0ugh.  For example the students would do well to realise that some numbers must be at the bottom as no other numbers can have them as a difference.  To move numbers select one that you require moving and then click anothertile which is where you would like it to move to.  They will then switch places.

Your students can work on this using pen and paper, by making tiles that they can move or, one way that you can make this a pick up and go activity is if you use pre-made number cards.  These National Numeracy Strategy Magnetic Numbers 1 to 100 plus +,-,x,÷ and = Key Stage 1 are useful as they can be used in conjunction with a magnetic mini whiteboard so that an accidental sneeze doesn’t lose the work!

To give the students a fighting chance of solving this you may want to give them the top 3 numbers which are 4,9,5.   The solution can be found online or in this book with additional notes: Professor Stewart’s Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities

As usual comments and bug reports can be entered in the comments.  This site is now also on Twitter and you can comment and question regarding this or any other resource on there by becoming a follower.  Follow this site on Twitter. 

Go to Interactive Whiteboard Resource.

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A selection of interactive whiteboard spelling activities based on this IWB Resource put on the site last year.  Following comment from users there are now 2 new types of word s work with and a clear button for correcting errors.

 This resource is to be played at the IWB by students.  A common letter combination is shown at the top of the screen and the student is challenged to make the longest word they can from the variety of letters shown on the given tiles. Non-scoring words such as those that do not contain the given vowels or are incorrect will result in points being taken away.  A four letter word will score 1, a five letter word 2, 6 letters will score 3 and  more than 6 will score 5.  Each game is timed with the time available  be set by the teacher.  There will always be at least a 4 letter word that is possible for each selection.

Double consonants IWB Resource

Oe, oa, oi, etc IWB Resource

Random vowel blends IWB Resource

Further comments on this resource and your use of it welcomed.

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An interactive whiteboard resource that you may find useful for practising multiplication tables with your class.  It is intended to support children in visualising what multiplication does.  The rainbows illustrate the counting on technique and the raindrops show the number of sets in the multiplication.  Led by the teacher, a  class  can work through each multiplication table tapping it to confirm the group’s answer with the appearance of the next rainbow.

At the bottom of the screen you will see a scroll bar.  Tap above this to move one along on the currently selected multiplication table.  The next rainbow will appear as well as the raindrops.  Holding and dragging the scroll bar will allow you to advance through the multiples (unless you have tapped enough times to make all of the rainbows appear some or all of this will be blank).  Or you can flick the scroll bar for it to move quickly to the opposite end.

Changing the multiple amount or pressing clear will make the rainbows and raindrops dissappear ready to start again on either the same or a different multiplier.

Suggestions, comments, problems are appreciated in the comments section.

Go to interactive whiteboard resource.

A paper copy of the chain of rainbows can be downloaded here for student use.

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