Activity 1: Where am I?
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Play in pairs
• Each player has a number line or bead string and a pack
of number cards
• Each player takes turns to turn over a number card
• Each player locates the number on the bead string or the
position of the number on a number line. The quickest
player to find the number wins the number card
• The winner is the player with the most cards.
The number lines can be structured according to the ability of the child and can
progress to an empty number line
Activity 2: Speed Pairs
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70
27 43
Play in pairs/groups
• Each pair/group will need a selected set of number cards
which are complements of multiples of 10 and a timer
(optional)
• Each pair/group will have selected target numbers
• The pair/group sets the timer and aims to make the
target numbers with the number cards within the set time
• They repeat the activity resetting the timer to less time
This can be extended to include larger/smaller numbers or trio complements
Activity 3: Target number
Play in pairs
• Each player needs a set of digit cards from 1 to 7 and
some addition sign cards
• Each player uses all the cards to make a total as close to
100 as possible -e.g.
5 2 + 1 3 +
4 6 + 7 = 118
• The person closest to 100 is the winner
• Each player checks the total
This can be extended to include subtraction sign cards, decimals or the aim
of the game could be to produce a balanced equation
Activity 4: Dealing dice
Play in pairs
• Each pair has a grid and a 1-6 or 1-9 dice
• Each pair takes it in turns to roll the dice and fill their
grid
• The winner is the one whose total is closest to 20
This can be adapted in a variety of ways to suit the learning intention .
Activity 5: Partition me
Play in pairs
• Each pair has one set of number cards to 20 and
addition, subtraction and equal operation cards
• One player makes a number sentence
• The other player swops one number card for two others
adding another operation
• They continue to swop until there are no number cards
left but the number sentence maintains its value
Are they able to continue to read the number sentence as it grows? This could
be extended to include money, brackets, decimals or fractions
Activity 6:
Play in pairs
• Each pair has a set of cards from 1-7
• They take it in turns to arrange the cards on the grid
• Each line must add up to 12
• Can it be done in more than one way?
If you add any other cards to the set – what could they be and what totals
could you make?
Activity 1: Play Fours
Play in pairs
• Each player has a 3 by 3 grid
• Take turns to roll 2 dice
• Calculate the total- each spot is worth 4 points
• Write your score on your grid
• Continue until each grid is full of numbers
•Now take turns to roll the dice again. If the score is
the same as a number on either player’s grid, you
can cross out that number
• The winner is the first to cross out all their numbers
Activity 2: Multiplication lotto
Play in pairs
• Place the multiplication fact cards in a pile face
down
• Take it in turns to choose a card and calculate the
missing number
• Place the card on the lotto board which gives the
missing number
• Continue until the board is full.
Adapt the game
•Time yourselves to see how quickly you can sort all
the cards
• Make your own grid and cards for another pair to
play
Activity 3: Multiplication grid
Play in pairs
• Take it in turns to work out a missing number on the
multiplication grid
• Explain to your partner how you worked it out
• Continue until the grid is complete
Adapt the game
• Create your own multiplication grid for your partner
to complete
Activity 4: Double, Halve or Stick
Play in pairs
• The aim of the game is to reach 50- the first player to
reach 50 is the winner
• Take it in turns to roll the dice choosing to double or halve the
number rolled. Make a jotting of the number you reach.
• Take in turns to roll the dice again and choose to either
double or halve the number rolled and add to your running
total. Alternatively you can stick with the total you have.
• The first player to reach 50 exactly is the winner.
Adapt the game
• Decide on a different total and limit the number of turns each
player has- whoever is the nearest to the total is the winner
Activity 5: Function lotto
Play in pairs
•Spread the function cards face up.
• Take it in turns to choose a function card and apply it to
24 (e.g. If you choose x10, you would need to calculate
24x10)
• Cover the correct answer on the lotto board with the
card
• Continue until all the answers are covered.
Adapt the game
• Time yourselves to see how quickly you can sort all the
cards
• Choose a different number and make an answer board
for another pair to play.
Activity 6: Array creator
Work in pairs
•Use squared paper to investigate how we could
use arrays to find the answer to 17x4 and 25x7.
• Consider how arrays can help us illustrate how
we can use known facts to work out new facts