Explain this
More Challenge Activities
How the publisher describes it:
“A set of 10 photocopiable activities that are intended to be used by pairs of learners working together to encourage mathematical discussion. The pack is designed for years 5 and 6 but can also be used by older and younger groups according to ability. The activities have extra pieces which can be cut from the equipments sheets and offers the user the opportunity to try out possible solutions. Activities includes Build and Tower, Triangle allsorts, Ordering numbered cards plus many more.”
Review by Val Griffiths
In brief:
The children were conjecturing and convincing in their pairs and using their visualising skills throughout.
“I will be using this resource regularly”
This pack of activities, which comes in paper and electronic form, has proved to be an excellent source of stimulus for discussion based learning in my classroom. The pack is aimed at Year 6 to 7, designed to support the transition from Primary to Secondary, however I have been using it in a mixed ability Year 6 class with great success.
The pack has a one game activity and the rest are paired tasks designed to encourage mathematical discussion. The children have really enjoyed them, finding the solutions challenging but achievable. All of the activities, except the game, come with additional pieces which can be given used to support less able pupils from the beginning of the activity or to give additional support to others during it.
The level of discussion when attempting the task was high. Both the quality of explanations and the use of accurate vocabulary were developing throughout. The children were conjecturing and convincing in their pairs and using their visualising skills throughout. The solutions are included in the pack, but as with most good mathematical activities I found the children gained more form the journey than they did by reaching the destination!
I will be using this resource regularly in my work with year 6, but can also see how the ideas could be adapted for other year groups to make discussion purposeful.
