In this feature, we have chosen problems designed to promote a positive attitude to challenging mathematical situations. The article, Getting into and Staying in the Growth Zone is packed with information and advice on helping your students become less anxious and more resilient.
article
Getting into and staying in the growth zone
In this article for teachers, Clare Lee and Sue Johnston-Wilder explain how the Growth Zone model can help develop resilience in our learners.
problem
Favourite
Caterpillars
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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?
problem
Favourite
Find the difference
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Place the numbers 1 to 6 in the circles so that each number is the difference between the two numbers just below it.
problem
Favourite
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?
problem
Ladybird box
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Place six toy ladybirds into the box so that there are two ladybirds in every column and every row.
problem
Favourite
Twenty divided into six
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Katie had a pack of 20 cards numbered from 1 to 20. She arranged the cards into 6 unequal piles where each pile added to the same total. What was the total and how could this be done?
problem
Favourite
Which scripts?
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
There are six numbers written in five different scripts. Can you sort out which is which?
problem
Favourite
Number lines in disguise
Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
Some of the numbers have fallen off Becky's number line. Can you figure out what they were?
problem
Favourite
Domino square
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Use the 'double-3 down' dominoes to make a square so that each side has eight dots.
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Developing Mathematical Habits of Mind - Primary
These resources have been chosen to help primary learners develop good mathematical habits.