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Cubes

Take Some ... Cubes
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Take Some ... Cubes

In this article we outline how cubes can support children in working mathematically and draw attention to tasks which exemplify this.
Even and odd
problem
Favourite

Even and odd

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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This activity is best done with a whole class or in a large group. Can you match the cards? What happens when you add pairs of the numbers together?
Chairs and Tables
problem
Favourite

Chairs and Tables

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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Make a chair and table out of interlocking cubes, making sure that the chair fits under the table!

Numbers as Shapes
problem

Numbers as Shapes

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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Use cubes to continue making the numbers from 7 to 20. Are they sticks, rectangles or squares?
Building with Cubes
problem

Building with Cubes

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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Try to picture these buildings of cubes in your head. Can you make them to check whether you had imagined them correctly?
3 blocks towers
problem

Three block towers

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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Take three differently coloured blocks - maybe red, yellow and blue. Make a tower using one of each colour. How many different towers can you make?
Making Sticks
problem
Favourite

Making Sticks

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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Kimie and Sebastian were making sticks from interlocking cubes and lining them up. Can they make their lines the same length? Can they make any other lines?
Cubes Here and There
problem

Cubes Here and There

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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How many shapes can you build from three red and two green cubes? Can you use what you've found out to predict the number for four red and two green?
Up and Down Staircases
problem
Favourite

Up and Down Staircases

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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One block is needed to make an up-and-down staircase, with one step up and one step down. How many blocks would be needed to build an up-and-down staircase with 5 steps up and 5 steps down?
Brush Loads
problem
Favourite

Brush Loads

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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How can you arrange the 5 cubes so that you need the smallest number of Brush Loads of paint to cover them? Try with other numbers of cubes as well.

Picture a Pyramid ...
problem
Favourite

Picture a Pyramid

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Imagine a pyramid which is built in square layers of small cubes. If we number the cubes from the top, starting with 1, can you picture which cubes are directly below this first cube?