Using Wonder to Promote Curiosity
As teachers, we often like to share something spectacular with learners in order to get a "wow". However, rather than a punchline, the tricks in this feature will capture children's curiosity, motivating them to explore and explain, and helping them to realise that mathematics is the tool they need to make sense of the world.
What's in a Name? Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level:
What do you notice about these squares of numbers? What is the same? What is different?
Unexpected Ordering Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level:
Watch the video of Fran re-ordering these number cards. What do you notice? Try it for yourself. What happens?
Digit Addition Age 5 to 11 Challenge Level:
Try out this number trick. What happens with different starting numbers? What do you notice?
Surprising Split Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:
Does this 'trick' for calculating multiples of 11 always work? Why or why not?
Truth or Lie Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:
Take a look at the video of this trick. Can you perform it yourself? Why is this maths and not magic?
The Number Jumbler Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
The Number Jumbler can always work out your chosen symbol. Can you work out how?
Your Number Is... Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
Think of a number and follow the machine's instructions... I know what your number is! Can you explain how I know?
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NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.