Whether you are pausing to reflect on children's learning so far, or thinking about planning an exciting mathematics activity to explore during some transition time, the article and tasks offer a plethora of ideas which could be slotted into different time frames.
So, if you only have a short amount of time, have a look at the problems we have selected. For longer periods of time, perhaps over a day or several days, the investigations are a perfect choice. However, you may choose to use a game, particularly if you are not sure if your audience will be super excited or a bit nervous!
So, if you only have a short amount of time, have a look at the problems we have selected. For longer periods of time, perhaps over a day or several days, the investigations are a perfect choice. However, you may choose to use a game, particularly if you are not sure if your audience will be super excited or a bit nervous!
article
NRICH at every stage
Whether you are reflecting on the mathematical developments children have made over the year, or thinking about activities for a transition day this article offers plenty of ideas and tasks to support you.
problem
Favourite
Count the crayons
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
How could you estimate the number of pencils/pens in these pictures?
problem
Favourite
Heads and feet
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
On a farm there were some hens and sheep. Altogether there were 8 heads and 22 feet. How many hens were there?
problem
Stone age counting
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
What could these drawings, found in a cave in Spain, represent?
problem
Prompt cards
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
These two group activities use mathematical reasoning - one is numerical, one geometric.
problem
Favourite
Maze 100
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Can you go through this maze so that the numbers you pass add to exactly 100?
problem
Favourite
Money bags
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Ram divided 15 pennies among four small bags. He could then pay any sum of money from 1p to 15p without opening any bag. How many pennies did Ram put in each bag?
problem
Favourite
How odd
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
This problem challenges you to find out how many odd numbers there are between pairs of numbers. Can you find a pair of numbers that has four odds between them?
problem
Favourite
What could it be?
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
In this calculation, the box represents a missing digit. What could the digit be? What would the solution be in each case?
problem
Favourite
Highest and lowest
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Put operations signs between the numbers 3 4 5 6 to make the highest possible number and lowest possible number.
problem
Favourite
Take three numbers
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
What happens when you add three numbers together? Will your answer be odd or even? How do you know?
game
Pass the peas, please
A game for 2 or more players. Practise your addition and subtraction with the aid of a game board and some dried peas!
problem
Favourite
Four go
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
This challenge is a game for two players. Choose two of the numbers to multiply or divide, then mark your answer on the number line. Can you get four in a row?
list
NRICH at Stage 2
In this feature we have selected some problems which you could do in a short amount of time, or some longer investigations if you have more time.