I really do a a big thank you for sharing the thought bombing idea. I originally read about them in your book, ‘Manglish’ and have since made and greatly enjoyed using a set. Admittedly it was a bit off a faff to make them (my husband was fab, I made him colour the balls in with permanent marker) but once they are done you’ve got them forever(ish). I use them to aid differentiation. I have two discreteley separated sets (that look identical), one for ‘stretch’ and one for ‘support’ so as students work I can respond to what I hear with an appropriate bomb. It means I am responding immediately to their needs without needing to predertermine who may need stretch or scaffolding. I also have a stash of post-its to write the inserts on so I can again be super responsive during the lesson. I REALLY DO

I originally read about these in your book, ‘Manglish’ and have since made and greatly enjoyed using a set with all ages, from year 7 to sixth form. Admittedly it was a bit off a faff to make them (my husband was fab, I made him colour the balls in with permanent marker) but once they are done you’ve got them forever(ish). I’m not sure if it fits with your vision of them but I use them to aid differentiation. I have two discreteley separated sets (that look identical), one for ‘stretch’ and one for ‘support’ so as students work I can respond to what I hear with an appropriate bomb. It means I am responding immediately to their needs without needing to predertermine who may need stretch or scaffolding. I also have a handy stash of post-its to write the inserts on so I can again be super responsive during the lesson and scribble something new and relevant down in response to what students are doing. I really do owe you a huge thank you as I recently used this idea successfully at a job interview because I was the best way I could think of to differentiate in a targeted way with a bunch of students I’d never met before!