• £25

2. Atomisation

What is the best way to prepare students to learn a new idea?

Course overview

What is the best way to prepare students to learn a new idea?

There is a danger that Atomisation is becoming the next buzzword in maths education. For many it represents the exact opposite what that maths should be taught. I disagree. In this course I explain why I think the breaking down of a complex method into sub-steps is crucial to help my students better understand a new idea. Indeed, Atomisation is now the first thing I think about when planning a sequence of lessons. In this course I show exactly what this looks like in the classroom, with examples of different types of Atoms across a wide variety of mathematical concepts.

Please see the bottom of the page for FAQs about suitability, cost, payment options, and more.

Contents

Introduction to the course

What is this course all about?
1. Introduction to the course.mp4
Preview
2. The benefits of online courses.mp4
Preview
3. Getting the most out of the course.mp4
Preview
4. Where are you at?
Preview

The Introduction phase of a Learning Episode

What does the Introduction phase of a Learning Episode look like?
1. Three questions...
2. What I used to do
3. Link to the big picture
Blog: You’ve never seen the GCSE Maths curriculum like this before…
4. Tell a story
Book: Why don't students like school?
Website: The story of mathematics
Website: Earliest Known Uses of Some of the Words of Mathematics
5. Provide a hook
Website: Mathematical hooks
Website: 101 questions
Website: When math happens

Challenge: Part 1

It is time to make a start on a list that we will refer back to throughout the course

Starting the list

What I used to do

What was my previous approach to planning, and why was it problematic? 
1. What I used to do
2. My students cannot take it all in
3. I have to play detective

What I do now

What is Atomisation, and why is it important?
1. What is Atomisation?
2. This is the worst thing I have ever heard
3. Three types of Atoms
4. Where does Atomisation fit in?

Address the Atoms

What does the overall process for addressing each Atom look like?
The Big Atomisation Diagram
Image: The Big Atomisation Diagram

Atom type 1: Prerequisite knowledge

What is the first Atom type, and why is it important?
Introduction

Examples of prerequisite knowledge

We look at examples of what assessing prerequisite knowledge might look like 
1. Index notation - assess understanding
Image: Diagnostic Question on index notation
2. Index notation - practice
Website: CIMT MEP resources
3. Estimate of mean - practice
Activity: Midpoint of two numbers (image)
Activity: Midpoint of two numbers (website)
4. Estimate of mean - assess understanding
Image: Diagnostic Question on midpoint
5. Any topic that requires a calculator
Image: Diagnostic Question on rounding
Activity: Rounding to one decimal place (image)
Activity: Rounding to one decimal place (website)
6. Prime factors - teach explicitly
Activity: Prime factors (image)
Activity: Prime factors (website)
7. Prime factors - assess understanding
8. Adding and subtracting fractions
Activity: Multiply fractions so they have a specific denominator (image)
Activity: Multiply fractions so they have a specific denominator (website)
Activity: Multiply fractions so they have the same denominator (image)
Activity: Multiply fractions so they have the same denominator (website)
9. Statistical diagrams
Image: Diagnostic Question on reading scales
Activity: Reading scales (image)
Activity: Reading scales (website)

Challenge: Part 2

Armed with new knowledge, we return to our list
Prerequisite knowledge
Image: The Big Atomisation Diagram

Atom type 2: technical language

What is the second type of Atom, and why is it important?
1. Introduction
2. What I used to do

Etymology

What role does etymology play in this second type of Atom?
1. Why etymology in maths is important
Podcast: Alex Quigley - closing the vocabulary gap
Book: Closing the vocabulary gap
2. Etymology sources
Website: Etymonline
Website: Earliest Known Uses of Some of the Words of Mathematics
Website: Boss Maths
3. Interesting etymology examples
4. Etymology alone is not enough

Examples of technical language

We look at examples of what addressing technical language as part of the Atomisaiton process might look like
1. Factor
Activity: Factors (image)
Activity: Factors (website)
2. Prism
Activity: What is a prism? (image 1)
Activity: What is a prism? (image 2)
Activity: What is a prism? (website)
Twitter: Is a cylinder a prism???
3. Similar
Activity: Similar shapes (image 1)
Activity: Similar shapes (image 2)
Activity: Similar shapes (website)
4. Surd
Activity: Is this a surd? (image 1)
Activity: Is this a surd? (image 2)
Activity: Is this a surd? (image 3)
Activity: Is this a surd? (website)
5. Like terms
Activity: What are like terms? (image)
Activity: What are like terms? (website)
6. Deciding when to do this
7. Product
Image: Diagnostic Question on product
Blog post: Lesson Evaluation: Using a rule sequence for functions

Challenge: Part 3

Armed with new knowledge, we return to our list
Thinking about language
Image: The Big Atomisation Diagram

Atom type 3: Decisions

What is the third type of Atom we need to address, and why is it important?
1. Introduction
2. What I used to do

Examples of decisions

We look at examples of what addressing a decision as part of the Atomisaiton process might look like
1. Product of prime factors
Activity: Product of prime factors (image)
Activity: Product of prime factors (website)
2. Subject of a formula
Activity: Is a the subject of the formula? (image)
Activity: Is a the subject of the formula? (website)
3. Significant figures
Activity: How many significant figures? (image 1)
Activity: How many significant figures? (image 2)
Activity: How many significant figures? (image 3)
Activity: How many significant figures? (website)
Activity: Spot the significant figure (image)
Activity: Spot the significant figure (website)
4. Factorising in a single bracket
Activity: Is it fully factorised? (image)
Activity: Is it fully factorised? (website)
5. Order of operations
Activity: Order of operations (image)
Activity: Order of operations (website)
6. Quadratic formula
Activity: Quadratic formula (website)
Activity: Quadratic formula (image)

Challenge: Part 4

Armed with new knowledge, we return to our list!
Dealing with decisions
Image: The Big Atomisation diagram

List the Atoms

How can we get better at listing the Atoms?
1. Use resources
Increasingly Difficult Questions
2. Ask somebody else
3. Write a line, leave a line
4. How far do I need to break things down?

Atomisation concerns

What are some of the main concerns teachers have with Atomisation, and what can we do about them?
1. Where am I supposed to find the time?
2. It doesn't take long if Atoms are secure
3. It doesn't take long if practice is needed
4. If it does take longer we save time
5. It saves time in future learning episodes
6. Differentiation may not be a big issue
7. Reflection

Useful links - from others

A selection of links that might prove useful
Podcast: Kris Boulton - Part 1
Podcast: Kris Boulton - Part 3
Blog series: Kris Bouton - My best planning ever
Blog: Naveen Rizvi - #mathsconf16/17: Atomising
Blog: Naveen Rizvi - #Mathsconf18: Atomisation Pt 1
Podcast: Naveen Rizvi – Part 1: Scripted lessons, examples and social media
Blog: Joe Berwick - The Decide, Break, Repair and Simplify process for linear equations (DBRS)

Conclusion

A few thoughts before we say goodbye
1. Where to next.mp4
2. My online courses.mp4
My online courses
Course certificate
Course feedback

Useful links - from me

A selection of links to other parts of my work

My research paper collection
Book: How I wish I'd taught maths
Book: Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain
Mr Barton Maths website
Mr Barton Maths Podcast
Diagnostic Questions
Variation Theory
SSDD Problems
Maths Venns

FAQs

Is this course suitable for primary school teachers?

I am a secondary school maths teacher by training, and I make no claim whatsoever to have any expertise in the domain on primary teaching. However, I have been lucky enough to run this Atomisation course lots of times with primary colleagues, and it seems to go down well. I try to use examples from across the different phases, and though some examples contain ideas beyond primary mathematics, I believe the key principles are transferable to the primary domain.

Is this course suitable for non-maths teachers?

I am not sure. Whilst the principle of Atomisation is certainly transferable across different subject domains,e very example is from the world of mathematics. A lot of work would need to be done on the part of the delegate to think exactly what this would look like in their subject.

Is this course suitable for non-UK teachers?

Yes! I have been lucky enough to work with teachers all around the world, and I ensure wherever possible that my courses are not tied to any specific curriculum or specification. I am confident that aside form my weird accent, teachers from other countries will find most of the ideas relevant and transferable.

How long can I access the course content for?

As long as this platform exists! That is one of the key advantages of an online course - you can go back over the content again and again.

If, for whatever reason, the platform shuts down or I need to remove content, I will give you as much notice as possible (I will aim for at least 6 months) so you can complete the courses. 

In addition, from time to time I will update the course content with new videos, resources and ideas. I will email you when this happens and you will have access to this as well for no extra cost.

Can I pay with an invoice instead of online?

The easiest way to pay is online. The service accepts all major cards as well as PayPal. Paying this way gives you immediate access to the course.

But if you need to pay via invoice, then no problem!  Just send an email to mrbartonmaths@gmail.com with details of:
1. The email addresses of the delegates taking the course
2. Your school name and address
3. Who to email to invoice to
Then I will send you an invoice and register your colleagues on the course.

Can I get a VAT receipt?

Of course!

If you have paid online, just login, click on the drop-down menu next to your picture on the top-right of the screen, select Billing and you can print off your VAT receipt(s) there.

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If you pay-offline (by emailing me as described above) then I will email you an invoice which will serve as your VAT receipt.

Can I buy one pass and then share it with my colleagues?

I am afraid not. The price of each course is per person.

Each person who pays for the course has their own log-in details, so the platform can keep track of their individual progress. This allows you to log back on using any device and pick up where you left off.

Are there discounts available?

If you want to purchase a bundle of passes for the courses - perhaps you have a large department or you are part of an Academy chain - send me an email telling me what you have in mind, and hopefully we can reach a deal!

My email is mrbartonmaths@gmail.com

Can I show the videos as part of a meeting or training event?

I am afraid not. The prices of the course are per person.

If you wish to discuss using the materials as part of a meeting or training event, please email me at mrbartonmaths@gmail.com.

About Craig Barton

​Craig Barton has been involved in teaching maths for 15 years. He was the the TES Maths Adviser for 10 years and is now the Head of Education at Eedi.  Craig is the author of the best-selling books “How I wish I’d taught maths” and "Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain", the host of the Mr Barton Maths Podcast, the creator of mrbartonmaths.com, diagnosticquestions.com, variationtheory.com, ssddproblems.com and mathsvenns.com, and Visiting Fellow at the Mathematics Education Centre at the University of Loughborough.