Course details: Board and Specification: Edexcel
Getting ready for A level Mathematics
We have always asked our students to do preparatory work for Maths A level in the Summer before they start the course. Mathematics as a subject relies on a high level of ability in many dozens of skills and a weakness in one can make studying A level maths very difficult. You have been studying Maths for many years now and you know how hard you need to work to have those skills ready for every lesson and not simply have them vaguely in your mind waiting to be revised. A level is different. You will need all of your skills in your mind all of the time; you are expected to have mastered all of GSCE maths.
This year is exceptional and so your preparatory work has two stages
Firstly you are to read the document “Single Summer Work Bridging the Gap” (found below)
This is a guide designed by the exam boards to get you ready for A levels. You should attempt a few questions from EVERY exercise. If the notes provided are not good enough then see below for suggestions of getting independent help.
Please complete the answer sheet found below. It contains specific questions from the single maths guide and it will be taken in and assessed within the first week of term. This workbook should be completed fairly close to your return to school so you have refreshed your skills and are ready to start from lesson 1.
There will be a timed assessment called the diagnostic test within your first two weeks of A level and it will cover this content.
If the notes provided are not good enough to help you understand then you should work through the suggestions below on how to tackle problems independently.
Remember this is also a good time to explore general mathematics. The Numeberphile youtube channel is very good, Matt Parker the stand-up Mathematician and anything by Alex Bellos is always good to read or watch.
Good luck everyone I hope you stay well during this unique time.
Dr Wainwright and the Maths department
Click here for tips for independent study
Tips for independent study
· Searching for a relevant MyMaths lesson. You can find the relevant code in the scheme of work or you can filter for the topic using the side topics in MyMaths itself. Make sure you read the lesson before trying the homework.
· Having a look at an instructional video on: -
o https://www.khanacademy.org/ (Khan Academy)
o https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/gcse.html (maths genie)
o https://corbettmaths.com/contents/ (corbett maths)
o Be clever about your searching, use google in general and CRTL f on the site itself.
· Look for a relevant Dr. Frost Powerpoint - You’ll find these in the maths part of the student information google drive. You’ll need to open them in “slides” to get the full interactivity.
· Looking at the Kerboodle Textbook accessible from RM-unify. Goto Maths and then the foundation or higher textbook as used in the task. (institution code zrm3)
· Search on Mr. Barton Maths:
o http://mrbartonmaths.com/topics/
· Ask a parent, sibling or a friend (people like helping people, so don’t be shy!)
· If you are struggling with a graph question then try using https://www.desmos.com/calculator or geogebra to plot the graph.