Starter

Mental Mondays #4 

mental and oral mathsThis Mental and Oral activity is based on the properties of shape.

It is quite a simple idea, but the focus is on the correct use of vocabulary and on the children's thinking skills. Therefore, as well as being a 'thoughtful' starter, it will also generate some good assessment opportunites.

Here's how we play it: Read more »

Problem Talk - 3 

two-step written maths problemsThis is a perfect introductory activity, particularly effective when children can work together on mini whiteboards.

As before, print out the file and cut each page into separate strips - each containing one written problem. Give each child a problem slip, and ask the pair to take it in turns to read the maths problem and discuss how it could be attacked. Read more »

Problem Talk - 2 

multi step problems for school mathsA number of members have asked for another series of the two-stage problems that featured in our original Problem Talk resource.

Here is the result: a set of 20 multi-step written problems, these are specifically designed to offer appropriate challenge for Y2 and Y3 children.

 

  Read more »

Number Journey 

mental and oral number journeyThis is a great way to get children discussing the mental strategies they use when calculating.

The idea is that the children have to follow a series of instructions to arrive at an unknown number. The image on the left shows a chain of number operations. The starting point is 2, to which 4 is added (making 6), this is then multiplied by 2 (giving 12), divided by 6 (making 2) then, finally, 1 is added (to end with 3). Read more »

Target Number Machine 

Maths game boards - addition and subtractionThis makes a great partner starter activity.

The games gives children plentyty of practice in addition and subtraction of two digit numbers, and a simple development means it can also be used to reinforce place value and decimal numbers.

The gameboard features a series of cells representing three two digit numbers: Read more »

Serial Adding - Spot the Bonds 

number bonds - adding strategiesAnother number bonds resource; but this one is a perfect starter activity.

The activity gives children plenty of practice at looking for bonds to 10 hidden in a series of numbers... Why? To aid their calculation skills.

For example, when adding 6 + 2 + 4 it is a useful strategy to mentally gather together the digits that add to 10: Read more »

Problem Talk 

Maths Word ProblemsHere's a maths activity focused on helping children to work out what to do when faced with a two-stage problem.

Working with thinking partners, each child has a problem slip and they take it in turns to read it out and discuss how it could be attacked; discussing what maths functions they need to apply in order to solve the problem. Importantly, they must also decide on the order of those functions and be prepared to explain everything to the rest of the class. Read more »

Times Tables with a Counting Stick 

times tables with the counting stick 

This is a wonderful example of teaching techniques using a counting stick. This video, taken from a lecture at Bath Spa University, shows Jill Mansergh helping a group of trainee teachers learn the 17 times table. The 17 times table is demonstrated to ensure that the trainees are outside their 'comfort zone' and go through the learning process, in a similar fashion to most children.

  Read more »

Flip Flops Again 

Counting challengesFollowing a couple of requests I have repackaged the original maths starter activity (the original Flip Flop design) in two ways:

- a larger, A3 format, so you can use the counting activities with larger groups of children.

- a set of mini Flip Flops, each counting grid is 8.5cm square. Read more »

Simple Arrays 

Simple multiplication strategies using arraysMultiplying two numbers can easily be thought of as finding the area of a rectangle. It is simple, direct and very visual strategy.

Using an array of objects or marks can help young children grasp the concept more quickly.

For example: Read more »