Prompt Cards

These two group activities use mathematical reasoning - one is numerical, one geometric.

Consecutive Numbers

An investigation involving adding and subtracting sets of consecutive numbers. Lots to find out, lots to explore.

Exploring Wild & Wonderful Number Patterns

EWWNP means Exploring Wild and Wonderful Number Patterns Created by Yourself! Investigate what happens if we create number patterns using some simple rules.

Cherries Come in Twos

Stage: 2 Challenge Level:

Why do this problem?

This problem provides practice in addition and subtraction and in an arithmetic sequence. Learners will need to use a systematic approach of trial and improvement. Although the problem does not require the use of symbols it does encourage the use of generalising patterns.

Key questions

Is there and odd or even number of cherries?

What would be a good number to try for a start?

How many cherries does Susie eat during each round of helping herself to pair, pair, single cherries?

How many extra single cherries are there in the bowl after each round?

Can you think of a good way of recording what you have done?

Can you see any patterns in it?

Possible extension

Learners could try Magic Vs .

Possible support

Suggest using some pairs of multilink cubes (or counters) to represent the cherries. Start with a low even number and continue with increasingly higher even numbers until it works out.

Place value. Working systematically. Interactivities. Multiplication & division. Investigations. Trial and improvement. Combinations. Generalising. Arithmetic sequence. Addition & subtraction.

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