Authors Live: Murderous Maths with Kjartan Poskitt
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Event info:
Kjartan Poskitt is a mathematician like no other, he will entertain pupils with maths tricks, crack them up with jokes about mathematical formula and engage pupils with complex algebra.
Author biography:
Kjartan is a freelance everything. Since getting his engineering degree he worked on Saturday morning tv (including BBC's Swap Shop!), presented science and maths programmes, warmed up thousands of studio audiences, toured his one man show, played a lot of pub pianos very loudly and has been Widow Twankey. In recent years he has been touring the country demonstrating mathematical tricks and oddities from his books.
His books have been translated in up to 20 languages and include the "Murderous Maths" series, "The Gobsmacking Galaxy", "Isaac Newton and his Apple", the "Warp Maze" with cartoonist Stephen Appleby, 4 books in his notorious "Killer Puzzles" series, handbooks on Practical Jokes and Secret Codes, 6 support books for the BBC Schools series "Megamaths" and a GCSE maths guide.
He has also written songs and scripts and worked as a games consultant for a wide range of children's TV shows and his music for TV includes the original theme for the BBC's "BRUM" and the long running "SMART" series.
Watch the video from our 2010 tour with Kjartan here
Photographs from the Event
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Pupil Feedback
I liked how he did the Maths tricks. I liked him because he was funny. I liked his tricks. I liked everything. Lauren, 11, Castlemilk High School
I enjoyed all of it, it was really interesting, I hope we can go another time. Shaun, 12, Castlemilk High School
I liked all of it because it was fun. Brooke, 12, Castlemilk High School
I enjoyed everything about Authors Live. Gerard, 12, Castlemilk High School
When I got to the BBC Studio. I was excited about the author Kjartan Poskitt. I also enjoyed the books in English where I am reading Kjartan's new book Agatha Parrot and the Floating Head. Nicola, 12, Castlemilk High School
Teacher Feedback
The children really enjoyed the event - they felt involved despite the distance of video link and joined in with some activities and applauded along with the studio audience. Jackie Gallagher, Chirnsyde Primary School
The children were really enthused by Mr Poskitt's style and knowledge. Without being asked, they got out whiteboards to try some of the activities live. Linsey Mowatt, Bonhill Primary School
It was one of the best events we have been part of run by the Scottish Book Trust. It has inspired many of our enthusiastic mathematicians and given a wee boost to the less eager pupils who do not like Maths. It was very child friendly and the teaching was great! Katy Sowden, Williamston Primary
Always a good experience for the children. Good for them to see the variety of personalities that have become authors. This event was very funny and they children were intrigued by the maths challenges. Many tried out the website at home and challenged family members when they went home after the broadcast. Lillias MacAlister, Tarbert Academy
Class thought it was a real hoot! keen to explore website further and try out maths tricks learned on their peers. Very entertaining and just right length of time. Ingrid Smith, Aith JHS
Excellent, David Irving, Speyside High School
Excellent speaker. My pupils thoroughly enjoyed it. Kept them focused throughout. Claire McGrath, Auchinleck Academy
Excellent, pupils very engaged. Moyra Lumsden, Ross High School
Excellent, the children really enjoyed this event. I gave them some of the 'tricks' to take home to impress their parents. Gill Rodgers, Cradlehall Primary School
Excellent, varied input which stimulated children to seek out resources and carry out own mathematical investigations. Dorothee Widemann, Auchtermuchty Primary School
Excellent, very motivational for the pupils. More authors like this please! Mr S peter, Wallacestone Primary
Excellent. After 10 mins, the girls were no longer sitting in the classroom but actually shouting out in response, as if they were in the theatre. It would be great to have more events for mathematics like this. Linsey Kemp, Craigholme School
EXCELLENT. PUPILS REALLY ENJOYED IT AND WANTED TO LEARN MORE. ALL FULLY ENGAGED. MRS JEAN ANDERSON, FISHERTON PRIMARY
Fantastic! Children loved the enthusiasm of the author and they could go away and try things that he had showed them. Very well organised and kept to time. Jaclyn Eeles, Dunbar Primary School
Great fun, children enjoyed the mathematical focus. TARA MOONEY, OUR LADY OF LOURDES
It was an extremely good presentation especially because the author was very entertaining. Kathryn Cooper, Tarbert Academy
It was engaging , interesting and the childen really found the activities interesting- made maths exciting. David Pearce, Loretto Junior School
My class thought it was very good. Carol A Smith, Elrick Primary
Pupils loved the complete program. Jane Bell, Denny High School
Pupils really enjoyed it, were completed absorbed ..... made appropriate ooh aahs when a maths trick was completed. Very positive feedback. Freda Evans, Auchterless
Pupils really enjoyed it. S1 Maths classes came down for it and this made maths more fun. Jan Crosthwaite, Braes High School
Really fantastic, author was very engaging and the children were enthralled. Really enjoyed discussing it after and having a go at some of the maths together with my class. Immediately ordered some of his books and looked in more detail at the murderous maths website. Sue Russell, Preston Street Primary
Really well organised. Fantastic. Pupils really enjoyed it and were enthused afterwards. Kat, Kilchuimen Primary
Super - very funny - the kids loved it. Jenny Avern, Craigour Park Primary
The author was very engaging and the children enjoyed the event. Mrs Reynolds, Linlithgow Bridge Primary School
The children absolutely relished the presentation and content. B Holmes, Crosscrake
The children loved the event and took part in all the interactive parts - even putting up hands to answer when the studio audience were asked something! Elaine Harley, Bowhouse Primary School
The children, once again, thoroughly enjoyed the event. They commented that it was the best author yet and want to to try some of the maths activities shown. Marissa McCormack, Denny Primary School
Very enjoyable and informative. Kenneth Todd, Burnside Primary School
Very entertaining and stimulating for the children - they felt as if they were in the audience! Caroline Harrison, Braehead Primary
Very good - informative and amusing enough to keep the children engaged. David Cain, Pencaitland Primary School
Very good speaker who kept the children's attention throughout. Marianne Johnstone, St Margaret of Scotland Primary School
Very popular, children loved it. Some looked at Kjartan's website afterwards. A way to make maths exciting! Sue Hollands, Eigg Primary
Well leveled at my class. Aunice Murray, Campbeltown Grammar
What a fantastic presenter, the children were captivated. Fiona Kenny, Tynewater Primary School
Meet Our Authors on Facebook
We set up a Meet Our Authors Facebook page where you will find back ground information, interviews, video clips and weblinks all about the programme. We also feature a great competition for each of the events which you can enter (Facebook account needed).
www.facebook.com/meetourauthors
Teacher Resources
Kjartan Poskitt Resource
If You Only Do One Thing Resource
Parent letter - please pass on to the parents/guardians of pupils watching
