Coverage summary
"In part" means the game practises some of the statement. The breakdown below says which part.
Curriculum alignment
Wizard's Magic Scales covers solving linear equations and changing the subject of a formula, from the key stage 3 mathematics programme of study for England. Its first two worlds also support Year 6 algebra. This page lists what is covered and what is not.
Source document
Department for Education, National curriculum in England: mathematics programmes of study, statutory guidance, updated 28 September 2021. The key stage 3 subject content and the Year 6 programme of study are both in this document.
This mapping applies to England. The national curriculum is under review, and this page will be updated when revised programmes of study are published.
Key stage 3, Algebra
| Curriculum statement | Covered? | World |
|---|---|---|
| "use algebraic methods to solve linear equations in 1 variable (including all forms that require rearrangement)" | Covered | Enchanted Forest to Mirror Marsh |
| "understand and use standard mathematical formulae; rearrange formulae to change the subject" | In part | Sky Observatory |
| "use and interpret algebraic notation, including: ab in place of a × b; 3y in place of y + y + y and 3 × y; a² in place of a × a, a³ in place of a × a × a; a²b in place of a × a × b; a⁄b in place of a ÷ b; coefficients written as fractions rather than as decimals; brackets" | In part | Ice Keep onwards |
| "understand and use the concepts and vocabulary of expressions, equations, inequalities, terms and factors" | Not covered | — |
| "substitute numerical values into formulae and expressions, including scientific formulae" | Not covered | — |
| "simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions to maintain equivalence by: collecting like terms; multiplying a single term over a bracket; taking out common factors; expanding products of 2 or more binomials" | Not covered | — |
| "model situations or procedures by translating them into algebraic expressions or formulae and by using graphs" | Not covered | — |
| "work with coordinates in all 4 quadrants" | Not covered | — |
| "recognise, sketch and produce graphs of linear and quadratic functions of 1 variable with appropriate scaling, using equations in x and y and the Cartesian plane" | Not covered | — |
| "interpret mathematical relationships both algebraically and graphically" | Not covered | — |
| "reduce a given linear equation in 2 variables to the standard form y = mx + c; calculate and interpret gradients and intercepts of graphs of such linear equations numerically, graphically and algebraically" | Not covered | — |
| "use linear and quadratic graphs to estimate values of y for given values of x and vice versa and to find approximate solutions of simultaneous linear equations" | Not covered | — |
| "find approximate solutions to contextual problems from given graphs of a variety of functions, including piece-wise linear, exponential and reciprocal graphs" | Not covered | — |
| "generate terms of a sequence from either a term-to-term or a position-to-term rule" | Not covered | — |
| "recognise arithmetic sequences and find the nth term" | Not covered | — |
| "recognise geometric sequences and appreciate other sequences that arise" | Not covered | — |
Key stage 3, Number
| Curriculum statement | Covered? | World |
|---|---|---|
| "recognise and use relationships between operations including inverse operations" | Covered | All worlds |
| "use integer powers and associated real roots (square, cube and higher), recognise powers of 2, 3, 4, 5 and distinguish between exact representations of roots and their decimal approximations" | In part | Shadow Spire |
Key stage 2, Year 6 Algebra
| Curriculum statement | Covered? | World |
|---|---|---|
| "express missing number problems algebraically" | In part | Enchanted Forest, Ice Keep |
| "use simple formulae" | Not covered | — |
| "generate and describe linear number sequences" | Not covered | — |
| "find pairs of numbers that satisfy an equation with 2 unknowns" | Not covered | — |
| "enumerate possibilities of combinations of 2 variables" | Not covered | — |
World by world
| World | Statement addressed | How the game covers it |
|---|---|---|
 Enchanted Forest | Solve linear equations in 1 variable; inverse operations | One-step equations such as x + 4 = 9, solved by adding or subtracting on both sides |
 Ice Keep | Solve linear equations; notation 3y | One-step equations such as 3x = 12 and x ÷ 3 = 5 |
 Volcano Forge | Solve linear equations | Two-step equations such as 2x + 4 = 10, with the order of moves left to the pupil |
 Crystal Caverns | Solve linear equations; notation for brackets | Equations such as 2(x + 3) = 10, solved by dividing first; brackets are not expanded |
 Shadow Spire | Integer powers and associated real roots | Equations such as 3x² = 75, solved by dividing then taking the square root |
 Mirror Marsh | "all forms that require rearrangement" | Unknown on both sides, such as 5x + 1 = 2x + 10 |
 Sky Observatory | Rearrange formulae to change the subject | Five formulas with letters only, such as making a the subject of v = u + at |
Working mathematically
- Fluency. The game addresses "substitute values in expressions, rearrange and simplify expressions, and solve equations" for rearranging and solving only. Regenerated numbers give varied, repeated practice.
- Reasoning. Pupils choose each operation themselves and see its effect on both sides. The game does not ask them to explain or justify a method.
- Problem solving. Later worlds need two or three steps in a sensible order. There are no word problems or contexts.
What the game does not cover
- Forming equations. Every equation is given. Pupils do not write one from a problem.
- Simplifying by hand. The game collects like terms automatically after each move.
- Expanding and factorising. Brackets are removed by dividing, never by multiplying out.
- Substitution. Pupils do not check an answer by substituting it back.
- Negative and fractional answers. All answers are positive whole numbers.
- Both square roots. Only the positive root is used. Cube and higher roots do not appear.
- Quadratic equations. Shadow Spire is squares and roots practice. It is not a course in solving quadratics, which is key stage 4 content.
- Standard formulae. Sky Observatory rearranges formulas but does not teach what they mean or when to use them.
- Inequalities, graphs, coordinates and sequences. None appear in the game.
- Vocabulary. The game does not teach terms such as expression, term or factor.
Documentation on request
Available by email from schools@wizardscales.co.uk: the data processing agreement, this mapping as a PDF, and a suggested scheme of work. [None of these three documents exists yet.]