List

Reasoning and Convincing at KS2 - Primary Teachers

John Mason talks about convincing yourself, convincing a friend and convincing a sceptic.  If your pupils don't know what a sceptic is, now's a good time to help them to understand!!

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

 

Beads and bags
problem
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Beads and bags

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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How could you put these three beads into bags? How many different ways can you do it? How could you record what you've done?
If the World Were a Village
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If the World Were a Village

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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This activity is based on data in the book 'If the World Were a Village'. How will you represent your chosen data for maximum effect?
The Puzzling Sweet Shop
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The Puzzling Sweet Shop

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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There were chews for 2p, mini eggs for 3p, Chocko bars for 5p and lollypops for 7p in the sweet shop. What could each of the children buy with their money?
Money Bags
problem
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Money Bags

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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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?
Mathdoku
problem

Mathdoku

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Complete the Mathdoku grid using the clues. Can you convince us that the number you have chosen for each square has to be correct?
Magic Vs
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Magic Vs

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Can you put the numbers 1-5 in the V shape so that both 'arms' have the same total?
Guess the dominoes
problem
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Guess the dominoes

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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This task depends on learners sharing reasoning, listening to opinions, reflecting and pulling ideas together.
Fifteen cards
problem
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Fifteen cards

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Can you use the information to find out which cards I have used?
Less is More
problem
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Less is More

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Use your knowledge of place value to try to win this game. How will you maximise your score?
Sealed Solution
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Sealed Solution

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Ten cards are put into five envelopes so that there are two cards in each envelope. The sum of the numbers inside it is written on each envelope. What numbers could be inside the envelopes?
Six Ten Total
problem
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Six Ten Total

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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This challenge combines addition, multiplication, perseverance and even proof.
What's it worth?
problem
Favourite

What's it worth?

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
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There are lots of different methods to find out what the shapes are worth - how many can you find?