Cambridge
Explore teaching ideas for your Cambridge programme or qualification. Prepare an opening activity, build useful practice and adapt the support while keeping the learning purpose clear.
Start with an idea, then check the age range, learning goal and subject content against the curriculum or programme your class follows.
Choose a task, inspect the source and decide what pupils should explain for themselves.
Connect the place-value mat with flats, rods and cubes. Explain what a digit represents before checking a calculation.
Use a representation to explain a calculation, then check a new example.
Try the teaching idea, then explore the full activity.
Begin with a learning objective and a concrete observation.
Create a Cambridge Primary starter on [topic]. Ask for my stage and learning objective. Include something to observe, a question to discuss and a short check of understanding.
Ask learners to explain a method and compare another approach.
Create a Cambridge Lower Secondary practice task on [topic]. Ask for my stage, subject and learning objective. Include a worked first step, two methods to compare and an independent question.
Use your subject syllabus to focus an argument or explanation.
Plan a Cambridge International AS & A Level discussion on [topic]. Ask for my subject, syllabus code, examination year and learning objective. Use a source I supply and ask learners to evaluate an explanation. Do not invent syllabus requirements.
Explore tasks relevant to this teaching context. Check the learning goal and the programme version your class follows.
Maths
Match each algebraic expression or rule to its equivalent expression or graph, and explain one match using a mathematical check.
Languages and literacy
Plan a multi-paragraph essay that compares how two fictional reports frame the same school travel proposal for different readers.
Languages and literacy
Plan a multi-paragraph English analytical essay explaining how a writer creates a sense of isolation, using evidence and transitions from an original passage.
Maths
Compare book quantities with a bar model, calculate the total and remaining books, and explain how each step changes the library count.
Maths
Represent relationships in word problems with bar models, write linked number sentences and check a solution with units.
Languages and literacy
Create a book recommendation that gives identifying details, a personal response and a reason a friend might enjoy the book.
Languages and literacy
Record reading, support an opinion with a reason and recommend books to an audience.
Computing
Trace a short coordinate programme, compare its actual and expected output, diagnose a logic error and write a corrected programme.
Maths
Pupils should convert all six tallies to frequencies, draw bars at two birds per square and answer comparison questions using the chart. They should also specify where, when and for how long a proposed survey would run.
Languages and literacy
Read words containing ai and ee, follow a short illustrated story and answer questions by referring back to the text.
Business and economics
Find equilibrium, calculate a surplus or shortage and explain a demand shift using a supply-and-demand graph.
Maths
Represent fractions visually, recognise equivalent fractions, compare values and find a fraction of an amount.
Maths
Calculate and graph a quadratic function and connect its algebraic forms to key graph features.
Languages and literacy
Identify four sentence types and use suitable end punctuation in a set of examples and original sentences.
Science
Record predictions and observations for eight familiar objects, compare plasticine in two shapes and use the results to write a conclusion.
Science
Use an inquiry chart to connect prior ideas, questions and information learned from a short text.
Languages and literacy
Plan and write a short narrative with an ordered beginning, build-up, problem, resolution and ending, using sentence punctuation and selected descriptive vocabulary.
Languages and literacy
Identify common non-fiction text features, explain their purpose for a reader, and retrieve stated facts efficiently by skimming and scanning.
Maths
Represent three-digit numbers in hundreds, tens and ones, partition them and calculate addition or subtraction in columns, exchanging when required.
Science
Represent a process in order, explain each step in their own words and show where a cycle returns or repeats.
Maths
Explain a mathematical claim using an example, representation or calculation, then listen to a partner’s reasoning, compare approaches and explain why.
Science
Use two or more values with units to support a claim, connect a pattern to a science idea and judge how strong the evidence is.
Science
Classify changes and types of substance using the definitions on the mats, then give a reason for each classification.
Languages and literacy
Identify characters and setting, sequence key events and retell a story in your own words using time-joining words.
Maths
Round whole numbers to the nearest ten or hundred and explain which digit or position determines the result.
Science
Connect each plant-cell term to its job and use accurate vocabulary in a short explanation.
Languages and literacy
Use a staged checklist and agreed editing marks to identify possible changes in punctuation, grammar, cohesion and vocabulary, then give feedback about the writing rather than the writer.
History and social studies
Sequence selected events from 1957 to 1969, calculate intervals and use stated criteria to support a judgement about historical significance.
6 templates shown
Add the context that matters, keep the learning goal clear and check the new draft before sharing it.
Place value and column calculation
Copy your brief into PLAI™, then review the draft for your class.
Start with one learning goal and shape the support around your class.
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