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Published 2012 Revised 2022
What does your first lesson with a new class look like? Mine always features a paired games activity. You can tell so much from observing the children playing a simple game. When the whole class is playing the same (or very similar) game, you and any support staff are able to focus on observing the children and getting a feel for their understanding of, and attitude to, mathematics.
Having made myself a class observation list, I set up the headings so that I only need to add a quick tick or cross, though I do leave room for a comment too. The choice of game depends on the year group, but needs to be a fairly straightforward one, leaving you free to circulate and listen in.
After a quick warm up, explain the game and allow the children to pair up with whoever they wish. Put copies of the game with sufficient dice and counters in the middle of the tables so that the children have to organise themselves.
Use any simple track game, for example Incey Wincey Spider or Tug of War. If the track is numbered and has optional routes so that children have to make decisions, so much the better. Look out for children who: