List

Thinking Strategically at KS1

To think strategically you need to have some sort of idea of where you're going and what you're trying to do. Helping children to reflect back on their work can support their forward planning next time.

In the Playground
problem
Favourite

In the Playground

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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What can you say about the child who will be first on the playground tomorrow morning at breaktime in your school?
Holes
problem
Favourite

Holes

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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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?

Two on Five
problem

Two on Five

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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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?
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?

Eggs in Baskets
problem
Favourite

Eggs in Baskets

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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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?
Caterpillars
problem
Favourite

Caterpillars

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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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?
Jumping squares
problem
Favourite

Jumping squares

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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In this problem it is not the squares that jump, you do the jumping! The idea is to go round the track in as few jumps as possible.