Creative Transform (CT)
Generative geometric pattern in p5.js from a maths rule
Each student picks a mathematical rule (e.g. fractal recursion, modular arithmetic, polar coordinates, the Fibonacci spiral) and writes a small p5.js program that renders a generative pattern based on the rule. They publish to a class gallery and write a 100-word artist's statement explaining the maths.
Tools: p5.js
Interactive Desmos visualisation responding to slider input
Each student builds an interactive Desmos graph that visualises a function family (e.g. quadratics y = ax^2 + bx + c). They add sliders for each coefficient, label what each slider changes about the graph, and write a 100-word commentary explaining how the family transforms. They publish the link to a class gallery.
Tools: Desmos
Real climate data dashboard with interactive charts
Each student builds an interactive dashboard analysing real climate data (drawing from publicly available temperature, sea-level or carbon dioxide records over the past 50 years). The dashboard must include at least three interactive charts (one with a time slider, one with category filter, one with regression overlay) and a short interpretation panel. They publish to a class showcase.
Tools: Google Sheets
Interactive Amplify (IA)
Fractions equivalence sorting on a shared whiteboard
Each student gets a stack of digital fraction cards (e.g. 2/4, 3/6, 4/8, 1/3, 2/6) on their own frame of a shared class Jamboard. They drag each card into one of three equivalence groups. In the plenary, the class scrolls all thirty frames; the teacher highlights any student who placed a card differently from the rest, asking them to explain their reasoning.
Tools: Jamboard
Times-tables timed challenge with shared scoreboard
Each student answers rounds of three random times-tables questions. After each round, the live class scoreboard updates automatically. The class watches the scoreboard between rounds, with the teacher pointing out which students are improving and which tables tend to slow the class down. After five rounds, the class identifies the two times-tables to drill again next week.
Tools: Google Sheets, Quizizz
Word problem matching to equations on a class wall
The teacher posts twelve word problems and twelve algebraic expressions on a Padlet. Each student links each word problem to its matching expression by dragging a connector on their own copy. Some problems intentionally have similar-looking equations that solve a different question. The class reviews mismatches together and the teacher draws out the difference.
Tools: Padlet
Coordinates plotting on a shared whiteboard
Each student gets their own frame of a shared class Jamboard with an empty four-quadrant grid. The teacher dictates the vertices of a shape one at a time (e.g. (3,2), (-1,4), (-2,-3), (5,-1)). Students plot and connect on their own frame. The class scrolls all thirty frames in plenary; the teacher highlights any frame where a vertex landed in the wrong quadrant and asks the student to re-state the rule.
Tools: Jamboard
Algebra equation race with class scoreboard
Students answer randomly-generated linear equations at their own pace through a Quizizz set. The class scoreboard projects on the front display, updating live. Every five minutes the teacher pauses, points out the two equation types causing the most class-wide misses, and asks two students to walk through their reasoning out loud.
Tools: Quizizz, Google Sheets
Probability prediction game with simulator
The teacher poses three probability scenarios (e.g. five coin flips in a row, two dice rolling double sixes, drawing two aces from a shuffled deck). Each student commits to a prediction on a class Padlet before the simulator runs. The PhET probability simulator runs each scenario one thousand times. Students compare their predictions to the empirical results and post a one-line revision of their intuition.
Tools: PhET Simulations, Padlet
Quadratic-solver race with class scoreboard
Students solve randomly-generated quadratics at their own pace through Quizizz. The live class scoreboard shows progress and accuracy. Every five minutes the teacher pauses on the two equation types causing most class-wide misses and asks two students to walk through their reasoning.
Tools: Quizizz
Geometry proof comparison on a class wall
The teacher posts a single theorem to prove (e.g. the angle subtended by a diameter is a right angle). Each student writes out their proof on their own Jamboard frame, using GeoGebra to construct supporting diagrams. They post a screenshot to a shared Padlet column. The class scrolls all proofs; the teacher highlights two structurally different valid approaches and asks the contributing students to defend.
Real-data statistical investigation on shared sheet
Each student picks a question from a posted list (e.g. is there a relationship between hours of homework and exam grade in our cohort?), and records their three closest classmates' values into a shared class spreadsheet. The class scrolls all rows; the teacher highlights distributions, anomalies and surface correlations; pairs then write a one-line interpretation.
Tools: Google Sheets
Calculus proof comparison on shared workspace
The teacher posts a function (e.g. find the derivative of x sin x). Each student writes their working in their own Jamboard frame using GeoGebra to verify and posts a screenshot to a shared Padlet column. The class scrolls and the teacher highlights two structurally different approaches (e.g. product rule with one student's substitution choice versus another's), asking the contributing students to defend.
Vector problem-solving with shared approaches
The teacher posts a 3D vector problem (e.g. find the angle between two vectors; show that three points are collinear). Each student works on their own GeoGebra frame and posts a screenshot of their solution method to a class Padlet. The class scrolls and the teacher highlights three structurally different valid approaches.
Hypothesis test interpretation lab
The teacher posts a real-world hypothesis test scenario (e.g. is a coin biased?, is the mean grade in this cohort different from the national average?). Students vote on Mentimeter for the strongest interpretation of the test result among three options. The class sees the spread, then in pairs writes a defence on a shared Sheet. The teacher calls pairs to argue and the class re-votes.
Tools: Mentimeter, Google Sheets
Lessons that look IA but are not
Useful counter-examples when you are checking your own lesson placement on the PICRAT grid.
This page is one of a growing set of PICRAT examples by cell, subject and key stage. Page maintained by Andy Perryer.