Counters are a great resource that we can use in mathematics in a number of ways, for example to show patterns, to model our thinking or to keep track of moves. We have put together a number of activities that all use counters - can you work out the different ways in which the counters are used? Can you find some ways which aren't mentioned? Are there examples where stones or pebbles or … would be just as good? Are there examples where the roundness of the counter matters? Are there examples where lots of the same thing is important?
Investigate the different shaped bracelets you could make from 18 different spherical beads. How do they compare if you use 24 beads?
What is the greatest number of counters you can place on the grid below without four of them lying at the corners of a square?
The idea of this game is to add or subtract the two numbers on the dice and cover the result on the grid, trying to get a line of three. Are there some numbers that are good to aim for?