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Robot Monsters

You are going to make three Robot Monsters. They are all $5$ cm wide.

Here are their heads which all have blue backgrounds:

first head

second head

third head

Here are their bodies which all have yellow backgrounds:

first body

second body

third body

Here are their legs which all have green backgrounds:

first legs

second legs

third legs

What is the tallest Robot Monster that you can make using one head, one body and one set of legs?

What is the shortest one you can make using one head, one body and one set of legs?

How tall would the Robot Monster be that was made from the three bits left over after you had made the tallest and the shortest?

How many Robot Monsters which are all different heights can you make with the nine pieces (all with one head, one body and one set of legs)?

Why do this problem?

This problem is one on measurement that really focuses on number work - addition, ordering numbers and combinations. Manipulating the pictures can also help pupils to explore the different combinations systematically.

Possible approach

You could start by showing the whole group the pictures in the problem on a computer. Young children will probably want to discuss these. Explain that each Robot Monster needs a head, a body and a pair of legs. You could ask how tall a picture of a robot would be using a certain combination of head, body and legs.

Then you could set the task in the problem. If the children can have pictures from this sheet they will find the activity more enriching. [If these pictures are printed onto card and laminated they will make a lasting resource.] It is helpful if the children can work in pairs so that they are able to talk through their ideas with a partner.

At the end of the lesson the group could discuss the tallest and shortest robots, and all the different combinations they have found. If you have made pieces printed onto card, these could be fixed onto the board so that this discussion can be illustrated.

Key questions

If a Robot Monster is going to be as tall/short as possible, which head will you choose?

If a Robot Monster is going to be as tall/short as possible, which body and set of legs will you choose?

Can you think of a good way to find all the different heights you can make?

Why not start with one head and look at all the different ways you could add body and legs to it?

How are you going to record what you have found out?

Possible extension

Learners could make their own robot monsters in different sizes or try Find the Difference or The Tall Tower.

Possible support

Suggest using the pieces from this sheet and trying it out practically.

Handouts for teachers are available here (word document, pdf document), with the problem on one side and the notes on the other.