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What is it?
Ho-ho-how did it get to this time of year already? With Christmas upon us, you might be tempted to do something with a festive twist in your lessons. But, if you are anything like me, you would also like to keep it mathematical. That is where Christmas Constructions comes in. With this activity it is possible to tackle one of the most challenging of all Key Stage 3 and 4 topics (constructions with compass, protractor and ruler) and sch a way that the students might actual enjoy it! And by the time they have created a tree, a star and an angel, they will be constructing champions!

How can it be used?
I will be honest, you might need to give your students some guidance with this one. I know I did when I tackled it with my Year 9s last year. I did a quick run through of each of the constructions they would need to use, and then I set up some help sheets around the room that had a step-by-step guide about how to construct triangles, angle bisectors and perpendicular bisectors. I also encouraged students to work together. Was it a quiet, relaxing lesson? Not at all. Was it a successful one? I hope so. The students certainly enjoyed it, and their confidence in handling protractors and compasses improved and remained high when we revisited the topic for revision later in the year. And when the main activity is finished, there is always the option to get students creating their own festive construction delights!

Thanks so much for sharing
Craig Barton

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