Overview of Resources in Spring Number Stories
Overview:
This spring-themed number pack has lots of opportunity for counting, comparing sets, totalling and working out
differences. It is most suitable for younger pupils and emerging mathematicians.
The pack contains a simple story, featuring fairytale characters, which sets the context for this mini-topic and then uses
lively, fun interactives to stimulate lots of counting and calculations. Printable resources provide all you need to set up
table-top activities for the main part of your lesson. Banks of story-related maths questions are also provided for you to
discuss with pupils, perhaps in small groups, using props.
‘Wolf Trips Up’ – Story Context for Maths
Use this simple and humorous story, featuring fairytale characters such as the Wolf and the Three
Bears, to set the background for counting and calculating! The interactives follow the lambs theme
and printables include story characters and backdrops for table-top work.
Arrive and Leave Number Story - Lambs (IWB)
A fabulous teaching tool to create number stories - make lambs arrive and leave the meadow
(scared by the Wolf!), providing ample opportunity for adding and subtracting. Pose simple problems
such as '1 more' and '1 less' questions, or more prolonged problems such as "there are 2 lambs in
the meadow, 3 more come along, 1 is scared away by the Wolf but 4 more join them! How many
lambs are there in the meadow now?" Follow up by asking children to invent their own stories – using
the cut-outs to model with (see the Printables on the next page).
Lamb Totals and Differences Tool (IWB)
A teaching tool for comparing sets of lambs. Use the + and - buttons to increase or decrease the
lambs in each field. Ask questions like 'how many?', 'how many more?', 'how many less?', as well as
total and difference. Extend students by asking, 'How many will there be if I add/subtract X?' and
then check with them by carrying through the operation.
Lamb Adding Game (IWB)
A simple practice game for addition, which relates amounts to the written algorithm. Add the sets of
lambs in both fields. Alternatively, try this idea if using with the whole class: ask children to close their
eyes. Enter the answer and then ask them to look and suggest the 'question' (e.g. 6 could be 2+4).
Reveal one side then - creating a 'missing' number problem (e.g. 4+?=6).
Bears Counting Lambs (IWB)
The Three Bears are trying to get to sleep by counting sheep! Ask pupils to count the lambs as they
jump the fence in each bear’s thought bubble, then set the correct digit and press the tick to check.
At the whiteboard, try counting all three sets at once by asking three groups of pupils to count the
lambs, then record and check the answers.
Bears Counting Lambs Sheet (PDF)
A follow-up sheet to the interactive ‘Bears Counting Lambs’ above, with sets of lambs for pupils to
count.
Overview of Resources in Spring Number Stories
Printables for table-top counting:
Counting Tens and Units – White / Black Lambs (PDF x 2)
Use these sheets for small group work – there are single, larger, lambs to represent units; the circles
are sets of 10 lambs. The two PDFs contain both white and black lambs for counting and adding.
Lambs for Counting (Word doc)
Simply a sheet of lambs to print off for table-top work. They can be used in conjunction with the
backdrops (see below).
Wolf Image / Lamb Images (PDF x 2)
Larger images of the Wolf and two lambs to set up contextual maths scenarios – use with the
backdrops below.
Backdrops for Counting – Hillside / Speech Bubble (PDF x 2)
Backgrounds to use with the cut-out Wolf and lambs (see above). Laminate for longer life, and to
write on sums and digits then wipe clean for re-use.
Supporting interactives and worksheets:
Addition Stories (IWB)
Make up number stories for children to work out, using lambs, parrots, fish, bees, cars or submarines
within various contexts. The scene animates to show the amounts combining.
Subtraction Stories (IWB)
Make up number stories for children to work out, using lambs, parrots, fish, bees, cars or submarines
within various contexts. The scene animates to show the groups splitting into the two amounts to find
the difference.
Overview of Resources in Spring Number Stories
Lamb Addition Stories and Lamb Subtraction Stories (Word docs x 2)
Word problems within the story context of the Three Bears and lambs. In each sheet there is a mix of
simple problems and missing number ones.
Number Lines or Tiles (PDF)
Use this sheet for either number lines or number tiles to support pupils.