Our materials - Realistic Maths Education

Our materials consist of 10 modules, 5 designed for Year 7 students in England (age 11-12), and 5 for Year 8 (age 12-13). They cover number, proportional reasoning, geometry, algebra and data. Click on the tiles below for an overview of each module and to download the materials.

All our materials are free to use.

Each of our 10 modules includes a PowerPoint which builds up key ideas from a range of starting contexts, supplemented by Activity Sheets for flexible classroom use. The Teaching Guide for each module includes slide-by-slide and Activity Sheet commentary to support your use of the materials, with potential student responses/solutions and suggested teaching strategies. ‘About the maths’ sections highlight the mathematics content learning at each step.

Number 1

comparing, simplifying, combining fractions

Number 2

equivalence, ratio tables, speed, distance

Proportional Reasoning 1

comparing fullness, percentages, bar models

Proportional Reasoning 2

ratio, conversions, ratio table, similarity

Geometry 1

area concepts for triangles, quadrilaterals, plane figures

Geometry 2

dimensions, the circle, volume

Algebra 1

collecting like terms, single brackets, equations

Algebra 2

straight line graphs, gradient, intercepts

Data 1

bar charts, dot plots, stem and leaf

Data 2

pie charts, averages from charts, frequency

At the front of each guide you will find the Landscape diagram, and an overview of the module divided into ‘lessons’. Although a lesson represents work on a particular context or group of contexts, connected by their use of a model or development of a strategy or idea, this term is loosely used in RME; a lesson could run over several periods in your timetable, while another might take less time. Partly, this will depend on your particular group of students and your assessment of their progress.

The modules were developed for use with Key Stage 3 students in England in Years 7 and 8 (ages 11-13), but the flexible nature of RME materials and the teacher’s role in supporting and extending learning means that the modules can be used for a wider range of ages. Hence, this material can be accessible and relevant to students of any age group. Earlier versions of some of these materials were developed for students re-taking the GCSE national examination in England at age 16, and they are suitable for use with this group. GCSE resit teachers might focus on the Number, Proportional Reasoning and Algebra modules in particular.

Modules N1, PR1, G1, A1, D1 are designed to cover a large portion of a typical Year 7 scheme of learning.

Modules N2, PR2, G2, A2, D2 are designed to cover a large portion of a typical Year 8 scheme of learning.

For more details about module coverage and sequencing see how our materials are organised, and details of fit with the National Curriculum in England.

For details of the authors, editorial team, our influences and image credits, see our credits page.