Working Systematically at KS1

Scroll down to see our complete collection of KS1 problems that require children to work systematically, or explore the two sub-collections focusing on important aspects of systematic working.

This collection is one of our Primary Curriculum collections - tasks that are grouped by topic.

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Finding All Possibilities Lower Primary

These activities focus on finding all possible solutions so working in a systematic way will ensure none are left out.

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Ordered Ways of Working Lower Primary

These activities lend themselves to systematic working in the sense that it helps to have an ordered approach.



Inside Triangles

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

How many different triangles can you draw on the dotty grid which each have one dot in the middle?

Thirsty?

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

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

Button-up

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

My coat has three buttons. How many ways can you find to do up all the buttons?

Robot Monsters

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Use these head, body and leg pieces to make Robot Monsters which are different heights.

Two Dice

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

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

A City of Towers

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

In this town, houses are built with one room for each person. There are some families of seven people living in the town. In how many different ways can they build their houses?

Same Length Trains

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

How many trains can you make which are the same length as Matt's and Katie's, using rods that are identical?

Triangle Animals

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

How many different ways can you find to join three equilateral triangles together? Can you convince us that you have found them all?

Ladybirds in the Garden

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

In Sam and Jill's garden there are two sorts of ladybirds with 7 spots or 4 spots. What numbers of total spots can you make?

Three Ball Line Up

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Use the interactivity to help get a feel for this problem and to find out all the possible ways the balls could land.

One of Thirty-six

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Can you find the chosen number from the grid using the clues?

6 Beads

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

If you put three beads onto a tens/ones abacus you could make the numbers 3, 30, 12 or 21. What numbers can be made with six beads?

Eggs in Baskets

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

There are three baskets, a brown one, a red one and a pink one, holding a total of 10 eggs. How many eggs are in each basket?

Sitting Round the Party Tables

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

Sweets are given out to party-goers in a particular way. Investigate the total number of sweets received by people sitting in different positions.

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?

Beads and Bags

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

How could you put these three beads into bags? How many different ways can you do it? How could you record what you've done?

Five Coins

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

Ben has five coins in his pocket. How much money might he have?

School Fair Necklaces

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

How many possible symmetrical necklaces can you find? How do you know you've found them all?

Teddy Town

Age 5 to 14
Challenge Level

There are nine teddies in Teddy Town - three red, three blue and three yellow. There are also nine houses, three of each colour. Can you put them on the map of Teddy Town according to the rules?