Share Circle - 5 Times Table

This maths activity is an adaptation of the ‘Follow Me’ style activity, which I first described this here [Share Circle - 1 more than].

This version is designed to help children become more familiar with their five times table while playing a game.

As with most of these mathematical games and ideas, print the resource onto card (or laminate it). This 'Share Circle' should then be cut it into ten sectors along the solid lines; finally, remove the centre circle.

Children can play this game in pairs or in a small group. Working together, the children mix the ten pieces face-down on the table and then take one each in turn until they have all been selected. Whoever has the piece with the mathstick figure goes first: they read the multiplication question (5 x 7 in this version) and place the card down in front of them. Whoever has the piece with the answer on, reads it out, places the card next to the first, and then reads out the new question. The game continues until all pieces have been assembled.

Don’t let the children miss the opportunity to learn from each other...

• encourage them to discuss the numbers they are using and to talk about any patterns they notice;
• encourage them to use the correct vocabulary when they read the numbers on the cards. If appropriate, you can formalise this:
  • Adam says, “I have two factors 5 and 7, so I’m looking for 5 times 7?”
  • Beatrix replies, “I have the product of 5 and 7. I have 35...”
• help them to check that the correct card is being placed down each time (no cheating!);

Notes:
Because children are playing this at a table, or on the floor, they should still be able to  use mathematical equipment such as number lines, counters, blocks, etc to support their calculations.

For individual practice, the ten pieces can be used as a ‘patience-style’ jigsaw. The  pieces are mixed and spread onto the table in a face-down grid. The player then turns over any two pieces, if they match (question and answer go together) s/he puts them aside and starts to form the circle. If they do not match they are returned to the grid and another two are chosen. Continue until the circle is complete.

This is a three-page, A4, pdf download* - one small Share Circle and one large format.

 * Login/register first to access the downloadable files.

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