Three Squares

What is the greatest number of squares you can make by overlapping three squares?

Two Dice

Find all the numbers that can be made by adding the dots on two dice.

Biscuit Decorations

Andrew decorated 20 biscuits to take to a party. He lined them up and put icing on every second biscuit and different decorations on other biscuits. How many biscuits weren't decorated?

Bottles (1)

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Bottles (1)

You need to find a collection of jars and bottles of different sizes and shapes, like those in the picture below:

I wonder which holds the most/least liquid?
Use estimation first of all.
How could you find out? Explore!

Can you find a way of counting how many "small container-fulls" each will hold?
Can you find a better way?

Photograph Acknowledgement
http://www.jarsandbottles.co.uk/

Why do this problem?

This problem is useful for young pupils to start considering capacity. It will encourage discussion between pupils and between pupil and teacher.

Possible approach

Although some discussion could be had by looking at the bottles pictured here, it would be good for the pupils to have a variety of bottles/jars for them to talk about and to explore the capacities practically.

Teachers could give the pupils a long time to both discuss their opinions of how the capacities compare and then how they could explore the capacities further. When it comes to finding a "small container", give them opportunities to try out the different suggestions they have.

Key questions

Tell me about your ideas.

Why do you think this will be the largest/smallest?
Why have you chosen this "small container"?

Possible extension

Bottles (2) is a good follow-up to this activity.

Possible support

Some pupils made need assistance with any awkward pouring.

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Three Squares

Two Dice

Biscuit Decorations

Bottles (1)

Age 5 to 7Challenge Level

Bottles (1)

Why do this problem?

Possible approach

Key questions

Possible extension

Possible support

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level