List

Visualising and explaining at KS1

Young children are often good at imagining - in these tasks we ask them to use their imaginations in a mathematical way.

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

How Many Pieces?
problem

How many pieces?

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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How many loops of string have been used to make these patterns?
Holes
problem
Favourite

Holes

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

I've made some cubes and some cubes with holes in. This challenge invites you to explore the difference in the number of small cubes I've used. Can you see any patterns?

Poly Plug Pattern
problem
Favourite

Poly plug pattern

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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Create a pattern on the small grid. How could you extend your pattern on the larger grid?

Teddy Town
problem

Teddy town

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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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?

Two on Five
problem

Two on five

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
Take 5 cubes of one colour and 2 of another colour. How many different ways can you join them if the 5 must touch the table and the 2 must not touch the table?
So it's 28
problem

So it's 28

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Here is your chance to investigate the number 28 using shapes, cubes ... in fact anything at all.
Caterpillars
problem
Favourite

Caterpillars

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
These caterpillars have 16 parts. What different shapes do they make if each part lies in the small squares of a 4 by 4 square?