Maths | My Primary Classroom

“Tables thing” : a times tables practice activity

This activity was originally created so that my class could get competitive with themselves about improving their own times tables knowledge. It provides a written exercise in which pupils complete a 10×10 tables square, the difference being that the numbers along the top and down the left hand side are not sequential, preventing counting on.

By printing off the individual sheets linked below pupils can practise at home using the countdown clock which is also linked. For teachers wishing to use this as a daily morning activity there is also a ‘week to view’ printable.

Tables Thing Original
Numbers 1 – 10

Tables Thing Advanced
Numbers 1 – 12 excluding 1 and 10

Printable sheet for one week’s practice.

Stopwatch

The way we scored it was that the pupils were given 5 minutes to complete the grid and their score was the number of seconds taken to complete the grid plus the number of blanks and incorrect answers. So a pupil that only filled 84 squares and got 3 wrong would have a score of :

300 seconds allowed + 16 blanks + 3 wrong -= 319

A pupil completing all squares in 275 seconds and making 6 errors would have a score of:

275 seconds used + 6 wrong = 281

This allows pupils to have a number which they can compare to their previous bests and see the improvement they make over time. To do it this way you need to have a countdown clock running so that they can see their time should they finish before the limit.

Happy New Year 2018…

We know that it will be at least a week from the publishing of this post until the start of the spring term.

Nevertheless, we would like to wish all teaching and support staff at all schools a great 2018 and thank them for the brilliant job they do.

And to the kids…be nice to your teachers, they deserve it!

We hope to continue to bring great links throughout the year.

Gary

Happy New Year 2018…

Shape : Creating Squares

Shape : Creating Squares by wild.maths.org

In this game, each player takes it in turn to put a dot on a grid. Whoever manages to deploy four dots that can be connected to complete a square is the winner.

The game can be for two players or a single player can play against the computer.

Once you’ve played the game a few times (and lost!) against the computer you begin to look for the strategies the computer is using to beat you and use them against your opponents.

Who knows, you might even beat the computer one day?

This game works well on tablets – even on my old iPad! A great activity to fill a few minutes at the end of a session or at the end of the day in the couple of minutes before the bell rings…

Creating Squares by wild.maths.org

Numeracy : Starter of the Day

Starter of the Day by Transum.org

A different starter for every day of the month.

Something great to have on projected on to your whiteboard when the children come in first thing in the morning or at the start of a maths session.

Of course its uses are not limited to the classroom – these activities could be used as a way of setting a numeracy homework task either online in your VLE or just print them and hand them out, old school style.

Topics covered range far and wide from date and time to mental arithmetic, currency calculations to estimation, sequences and factors to decimals and a little algebra for the budding theoretical physicists…

A major bonus is that this also works on tablets – including my elderly iPad. A great resource!

Starter of the Day by Transum.org

Times Tables : Tables Master

Tables master Transum.org

Tablesmaster is a great way for students to practise individual times tables.

Played it every day it will help improve numeracy skills, mathematical proficiency and mental strength.

All times tables are included from 2x up to 13x (for the show-offs!)

There is also a printable page on which to record personal best times for completing times tables activities.

This activity is tablet friendly and plays really well on my elderly iPad.

Tables master Transum.org

Mental Maths : Beat the Clock by Transum.org

Answer the questions in the puzzle as fast as possible.

Pupils type their answers into the boxes provided then press the ENTER or TAB key to move to the next box on a desktop or just tap on a tablet.

Any wrong answers can be corrected but the clock is ticking.

When all of the questions are answered the page may be printed as evidence or a screen grab could be placed in an ePortfolio Maths file.

This page is designed to be printed if you would prefer to work offline using pen or pencil without the time pressure it is possible. There are multiple levels listed below

Mental Maths : Beat the Clock by Transum.org

Level 1 – Addition of single digit numbers
Level 2 – Subtraction of numbers less than 20
Level 3 – Addition and subtraction of numbers less than 30
Level 4 – Multiplication facts up to twelve times twelve
Level 5 – Division facts in tables up to twelve.
Level 6 – Mixed Multiplication and Division
Level 7 – All four operations, two terms
Level 8 – All four operations, two terms, harder
Level 9 – All four operations, three terms

Mental Maths : Magic Square

Magic Square by Transum.org

A classic magic square puzzle in which pupils are asked to arrange 9 numbers in a 3×3 grid so that all the lines across, all the lines down and the two diagonals add up to the same number. this works on my elderly iPad as well as other tablets.

In a subtle twist the target number is not given, though in Level 1 the numbers are 1-9 as in the classic end of term brain teaser.

There are six levels in total with progressively more difficult numbers which should keep your Maths wizards buzy!

In addition there is an option for a random square and also an intriguing UNmagic square where the object is to AVOID any of the lines adding up to the same number.

All the puzzles provide instant feedback which, when errors are made, can be a great stimulus for discussion amongst the mathematical high fliers in your group.

Category: Maths

“Tables thing” : a times tables practice activity

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