Going Deeper with Number


The tasks in this Primary feature offer opportunities to dig deeply into number, place value and calculation. Learners are encouraged to explore mathematical structures, demonstrate their creativity, and explain and generalise their findings.

You can watch a recording of the webinar in which we discussed the mathematical thinking which can be prompted by these activities.

In this article for Primary teachers, we share key findings from a project with schools in Tower Hamlets, which focused on teaching 'at greater depth' using whole-class resources.

Robot Monsters 

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Use these head, body and leg pieces to make Robot Monsters which are different heights.

100 Square Jigsaw 

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Can you complete this jigsaw of the 100 square?

Growing Garlic 

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level
Ben and his mum are planting garlic. Can you find out how many cloves of garlic they might have had?

Number Round Up 

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Arrange the numbers 1 to 6 in each set of circles below. The sum of each side of the triangle should equal the number in its centre.

Domino Sets 

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
How do you know if your set of dominoes is complete?

Always, Sometimes or Never? Number 

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
Are these statements always true, sometimes true or never true?

The Deca Tree 

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
Find out what a Deca Tree is and then work out how many leaves there will be after the woodcutter has cut off a trunk, a branch, a twig and a leaf.

Coded Hundred Square 

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
This 100 square jigsaw is written in code. It starts with 1 and ends with 100. Can you build it up?

Amy's Dominoes 

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
Amy has a box containing domino pieces but she does not think it is a complete set. Which of her domino pieces are missing?

Sealed Solution 

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
Ten cards are put into five envelopes so that there are two cards in each envelope. The sum of the numbers inside it is written on each envelope. What numbers could be inside the envelopes?