Complex Instruction and Group-worthy tasks - May 2010, All Stages

This month our tasks have been designed with group work in mind - there is real benefit to working collaboratively on the activities, so we have suggested in the Teachers' Notes and articles how this can be done in the classroom.

Problems

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Thirsty?

Stage: 1 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Can you lay out the pictures of the drinks in the way described by the clue cards?

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Sorting the Numbers

Stage: 1 and 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Complete these two jigsaws then put one on top of the other. What happens when you add the 'touching' numbers? What happens when you change the position of the jigsaws?

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It's a Fence!

Stage: 1 and 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

In this challenge, you will work in a group to investigate circular fences enclosing trees that are planted in square or triangular arrangements.

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Planning a School Trip

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

You are organising a school trip and you need to write a letter to parents to let them know about the day. Use the cards to gather all the information you need.

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Two Clocks

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

These clocks have only one hand, but can you work out what time they are showing from the information?

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Counting Cogs

Stage: 2 and 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Which pairs of cogs let the coloured tooth touch every tooth on the other cog? Which pairs do not let this happen? Why?

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Painted Cube

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Imagine a large cube made from small red cubes being dropped into a pot of yellow paint. How many of the small cubes will have yellow paint on their faces?

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Growing Rectangles

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

What happens to the area and volume of 2D and 3D shapes when you enlarge them?

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Seven Squares - Group-worthy Task

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Choose a couple of the sequences. Try to picture how to make the next, and the next, and the next... Can you describe your reasoning?

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Efficient Cutting

Stage: 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Use a single sheet of A4 paper and make a cylinder having the greatest possible volume. The cylinder must be closed off by a circle at each end.

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Partially Painted Cube

Stage: 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Jo made a cube from some smaller cubes, painted some of the faces of the large cube, and then took it apart again. 45 small cubes had no paint on them at all. How many small cubes did Jo use?

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Close to Triangular

Stage: 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

Drawing a triangle is not always as easy as you might think!

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Big and Small Numbers in Physics - Group Task

Stage: 5 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Work in groups to try to create the best approximations to these physical quantities.

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Erratic Quadratic

Stage: 5 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Can you find a quadratic equation which passes close to these points?

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Clear as Crystal

Stage: 5 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

Unearth the beautiful mathematics of symmetry whilst investigating the properties of crystal lattices

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. More information on many of our other activities can be found here.
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