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Mathematics
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Addition and subtraction worksheet
Solving addition and subtraction problems to crack the safe code
This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This resource focuses on solving addition- and subtraction-based numeracy problems to find the code that will open a safe door.
Do you have the maths knowledge to ‘crack the code’ and open the safe?
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity, learners will solve three addition and subtraction problems. The answer to each problem will give two out of the six digits needed to crack the code to a safe. They will reinforce their addition and subtraction knowledge and apply this in a fun context.
This activity could be used as a starter activity covering learning from the previous lesson, a plenary activity reinforcing learning that has just taken place, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on addition and subtraction.
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Remember, the downloads are all free!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Edges, vertices and faces
Making cut-out 3D shapes and counting the number of edges, vertices and faces
In this fun maths activity for Key Stage 2, learners will enhance their knowledge and comprehension of 3D shapes. They will cut out 2D nets for a cube, pyramid, cylinder, and octahedron, then fold them to form their corresponding 3D shapes. Through this process, they will also determine and count the number of edges, vertices, and faces on each shape.
This activity can serve as a main lesson to develop an understanding of the characteristics of common 3D shapes. Alternatively, it can be integrated into a broader curriculum that focuses on the properties of 2D shapes, 3D shapes, and everyday objects.
The engineering context
Engineers must regularly use mathematics knowledge and skills as part of their everyday job. Therefore, they must have a good grasp of basic concepts, such as the properties of 3D shapes.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to make 3D shapes such as cubes, pyramids, cylinders and octahedrons from 2D nets, and they will understand the difference between the edges, vertices and faces of a 3D shape. They will know the number of edges, vertices and faces on a cube, pyramid, cylinder and octahedron.
Download for activity sheets and templates for free!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Calculate journey times
An activity to compare journey times for different modes of transport
In this fun activity for KS1, learners will calculate the times taken to complete the same journey using different modes of transport, allowing them to put their math skills into practical use.
This activity is part of a collection of STEM resources developed to aid the teaching of the primary national curriculum. Its purpose is to assist in delivering essential topics within mathematics and science. This could be used as a one-off main lesson activity to develop basic maths skills in context.
Learners will be given the “Who’s Fastest” activity sheet to complete. They will calculate the journey times for each mode of transport and rank them from fastest to slowest.
After completing the calculations, the class will engage in a discussion. They will explore which mode of transport emerged as the fastest and why it held that position. Furthermore, they will consider which transport mode they would prefer to use for the given journey and explain their reasoning.
By the end of this activity, the learners will have gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between distance, speed, and time while also having fun comparing different modes of transportation.
The engineering context
Comparing results is crucial in engineering as it aids in enhancing efficiency. Different modes of transportation have varying impacts on the environment. Consequently, a transport engineer’s task involves determining the most suitable transportation method for specific situations, such as employing trams in a city.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to solve a contextual problem using division and multiplication, and they will be able to understand how to calculate different journey times for alternative modes of transport.
Download the free activity sheet!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Comparing the carbon footprint of transportation
A maths-based challenge for KS3 to calculate the journey times and carbon footprint of different methods of travel
As well as testing students’ mathematical abilities, this activity highlights the issue of sustainable travel and the effects of some modes of transport on the environment.
This could be used as a one-off main lesson activity to use maths skills in context, or as part of a scheme of work on sustainability, to build knowledge and understanding of climate change and ways of reducing it.
Activity introduction
This activity is one of a series of resources designed in conjunction with Network Rail to develop understanding and skills in key maths, science, and engineering concepts.
The carbon footprint data in the presentation is derived from passenger-specific figures published by BEIS/Defra Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors 2019.
Transportation speeds are approximations based on typical values obtained from commonly used search engines. Any statistical or speed-related data used in this activity serves its sole purpose within the activity and may not accurately mirror current real-world conditions. Variability might arise due to seasonal changes, environmental conditions, or legal constraints.
When utilising the activity sheet, students can construct tables for each journey, showcasing their findings (as depicted on the sheet). For air travel, a buffer of 3 hours should be allotted to account for check-in, security procedures, and boarding at airports.
To add an additional layer of complexity, transit times to airports and railway stations could be incorporated.
The presentation includes supplementary slides for those who prefer kilometres instead of miles.
The engineering context
Engineers must understand how products impact the environment; This pertains not only to modes of transportation but also encompasses the production of new items. They can use this knowledge to balance the environmental impact with the function carried out by the product. Engineers can also develop new or improved
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to solve a contextual problem using division and multiplication, and they will understand how to calculate journey times and the carbon footprint for alternative modes of transport.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
You can download our step-by-step instructions below as either a classroom lesson plan or PowerPoint presentation.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
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Coding a geometric construction
Following coded instructions for bisecting an angle
In this activity students will learn how to code a geometric construction. They’ll do this by matching a set of instructions to the correct geometric construction.
Learners will be introduced to the concept of Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machines. They’ll also be taught about the role of coding in executing precise tasks, such as bisecting an angle.
This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in maths or design & technology (D&T).
Activity: Following coded instructions for bisecting an angle
Students will use Robocompass, a web tool that lets leaners simulate geometric constructions on a computer screen. They will match each diagram with the correct instruction and arrange them so that they can create a storyboard of how to draw and bisect an angle.
Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students about coding a geometric construction.
The engineering context
Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machines follow pre-programmed instructions to execute tasks with precision, much like the coded geometric constructions students will work on in this activity. For example, CNC machines are used by engineers in manufacturing industries for common tasks such as cutting, drilling, and shaping materials.
Suggested learning outcomes
Students will learn how to bisect an angle while also learning how coded instructions can be used to execute geometric constructions.
Download our activity sheet and related teaching resources for free!
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation below.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
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Flying by numbers with the lift equation
In this lesson, learners will apply the lift equation to carry out a real-world aircraft design activity.
This will support their understanding of:
manipulating the subject of equations;
using equations;
interpreting data presented in tables and graphs.
This is one of a set of resources produced in conjunction with the engineering company Arconic. The resources are designed to support teaching of key engineering concepts at both key stage 3 and key stage 4, including the GCSE in Engineering. This resource focuses on the application of maths in engineering.
This could be used as a one-off main lesson activity, as an introductory lesson to a wider unit of work focussing on aerodynamics or as part of a scheme on aircraft design using all of the resources developed in association with Arconic.
Activity: Writing flowchart programs to meet a given design brief
Students will firstly view our Flying by Numbers presentation to make sure that they understand the concept of lift and the lift equation. Using the information from within this presentation, they will change the subject of the formula to make wing area and velocity the focus, and then interpreting data using the tables and graphs that have been provided.
Download our activity overview and presentation for a detailed lesson plan on how to write a flowchart program to meet a given design brief.
What is the lift equation?
The lift formula is as follows:
L = d x v2 x s x CL / 2
Where:
L = lift; for level flight this equals the weight of the aircraft
d = density of the air. This changes with altitude – the higher you get, the ‘thinner’ (less dense) the air is
v = velocity of the aircraft
s = wing area of the aircraft
CL = coefficient of lift. This is read from a graph
Wing area:
s = 2 L / (d x v2 x CL)
Velocity:
v = √(2L / (d x s x CL ))
The engineering context
This lift equation is used by aerospace designers to determine the necessary characteristics of an aircraft so that it can fly.
Suggested learning outcomes
This lesson will teach students how to manipulate the subject of a formula. They’ll be able to use a formula and interpret data in tables and graphs.
Download our activity sheet and related teaching resources
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
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Mathematics behind revolving door design
Using the circumference formula and estimation to design an efficient revolving door
This lesson tasks students with designing a functional and efficient revolving door. It tests practical maths skills such as estimation and calculating the circumference of a circle, while also challenging students with a fun design activity.
It’s one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3, supporting the teaching in maths.
Activity: Using the circumference formula and estimation to design an efficient revolving door
In this activity students will examine the design of revolving doors for maximum efficiency both in terms of reducing space and minimising heat loss.
They’ll firstly be tasked with calculating the idea entrance/exit arc length based on the door’s diameter. They’ll then be asked to estimate how many people can fit into each door section and how this will impact getting 200 people in and out of the building as the arrive and leave for work.
The GeoGebra file Revolving doors allows teachers to demonstrate the problem and check the solution to the first task.
Download our activity overview and Revolving door presentation for a detailed lesson plan on the maths behind designing a revolving door.
The engineering context
Revolving doors are energy efficient as they prevent drafts (via acting as an airlock), thus preventing increases in the heating or cooling required for the building. At the same time, revolving doors allow large numbers of people to pass in and out.
As such, architects and engineers need to apply mathematics to their designs, which can help to determine how they will work in practice and whether or not they’re fit for purpose.
Suggested learning outcomes
Students will learn how mathematical concepts like circumference and arc length are applied to solving real-world design problems.
Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Download our classroom lesson plan and presentation for free!
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
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Power station event tree analysis
Assessing the probability of a particular situation occurring in a power station
In this lesson students will use event tree analysis to roleplay an exercise where they quantify the risk of safety systems failing in a power station.
This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the class teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within mathematics.
In this activity, students will roleplay the following scenario:
‘A power station experiences a loss of coolant to its reactor about once per year. To prevent a dangerous explosion, a set of controls are in place. Firstly, an alarm which alerts the operator, this works on 99% of occasions. If this does fail various other systems will become operational to monitor the issue and prevent disaster.’
Using the examples in our Power station event analysis handout and Event analysis presentation, students will learn how event tree analysis can be used to model the probability of the risk of safety systems failing. Students can also use our Event analysis simulator tree spreadsheet to run simulations to check their workings.
Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan (including answers) for teaching students about event tree analysis.
The engineering context
Event trees allow engineers to visualise the chain of events that could lead to system failures. Analysing the probabilities of these events helps them understand the likelihood of various outcomes as part of their efforts to design measures that can help to mitigate risks.
Suggested learning outcomes
In this lesson, students will learn about frequency trees, probability, and relative frequency.
Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download (including the video), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your class’s and your schools’ needs.
You can download our classroom lesson plan for free!
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation.
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Queueing theory
Queuing theory is a mathematical discipline that helps us understand the behaviour of queues and make predictions about their performance. It considers various factors such as arrival rates, service times, and queue lengths to analyse and optimise queuing systems.
By applying queuing theory principles, students will learn how to evaluate different queues and determine which will likely offer a shorter waiting time.
Through this activity, you will develop your analytical and problem-solving skills and gain a deeper understanding of queuing theory concepts. You will also learn how to apply these principles in real-life situations, making you a proficient queue navigator in the future!
Activity
In this activity, students will be presented with two different systems of queues. They should think about the benefits and problems with each system. Encourage the students to think about how they can compare the two systems. What figures could they calculate? What diagrams would help to provide a picture of the advantages and disadvantages of each system?
Give the students time to find/calculate their figures and then ask them to present their case.
This task provides an opportunity to discuss the most appropriate average. The mean time for the first system is affected by longer wait times for a few customers. Would the mode time be a better average, as this is the most frequent experience, or is the median better?
The engineering context
Queuing theory is an area of maths which has many applications.
When you log onto the internet, you join a queue for a server.
Computer engineers and systems designers study queues to help them make systems work more efficiently.
Civil engineers use it for traffic lights, and retailers use queuing theory to reduce wait time.
Potential GCSE content
In this activity, students will learn how to determine the mean and calculate the median from a frequency table, compare two data sets using an average and measure of spread and find the quartiles and the interquartile range (IQR). This exercise will also cover statistical diagrams, reasoning, problem-solving, estimation, and modelling.
Download the free activity sheet!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Estimate the radius of a circle of light
Use proportional reasoning to estimate the radius of a circle of light produced by shining a torch at various distances from the wall
This is an engaging activity for GCSE students in which learners will estimate the radius of a circle of light produced by shining a torch at various distances from the wall.
In order to estimate the radius, students will need to use proportional reasoning or Pythagoras theorem. Students are encouraged to use GeoGebra to gather data.
Problem Solving
To solve the problem presented on the first slide, students will have to employ proportional reasoning. This can be utilised to reinforce concepts of enlargement, and potentially Pythagoras if the follow-up question is used.
For the second problem, students will need to collect data, consider how to manipulate the control variable (distance) and organise the data to aid in identifying any connections between distance and area. Some students may choose to create a graph and extrapolate to determine the distance, while others may seek out a function.
The related GeoGebra file for this activity can be viewed at the GeoGebra website.
What is GeoGebra?
GeoGebra is a free and open-source dynamic mathematics software that allows users to create and manipulate mathematical figures and interact with them in real-time. It can be used to plot graphs, create 3D models, solve equations, and perform complex mathematical operations. It is widely used in education, particularly in the teaching and learning of STEM subjects.
GeoGebra is available for use on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
Potential GCSE content covered
By the end of this activity students will have an understanding of Pythagoras’ Theorem, the area of a circle, and enlargement.
Download the free Estimate the Radius of a Circle of Light activity sheet below!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Model boat maths challenge for GCSE
Calculate the distance a model boat will travel across water
Two friends are on opposite banks of a river which is 30m wide. One of them has a model boat and plans to send it across the river to the other. The boat has a small motor which moves it forward. Once the boat is in the water, it cannot be steered. Can your students calculate the distance that the model boat will need to travel across the water?
This fun maths challenge will teach students about forces and motion and is perfect for GCSE students!
Activity: Model boat maths challenge for GCSE
The students can work individually or in pairs. Download the teacher presentation below and allow the students some time to read the task on the first slide, then show them slide 2.
Students will need to find the distance downstream from the starting point. A generalised approach to such problems should be introduced along with slide 2.
Leave the students to work on the task and then compare approaches and answers. A GeoGebra file has been supplied to help with the discussion.
Problem Solving
The students can tackle the problem in a number of ways. Some may choose to look at the path of the boat at 1 second intervals, possibly plotting the path on a graph. This is the way the GeoGebra file works. Others may use trigonometry to find the angle the boat travels and then use this with the 30m width of the river to find the distance downstream.
Another approach would be to use a scale drawing.
Pythagoras theorem or trigonometry can be used to find the displacement of the boat from its original position.
The GeoGebra file may be useful to students who wish to gather some results for the general approach or to check their answers.
Discussion Points
This activity could provide an opportunity to introduce vectors and possible resultant force, making a connection with Physics.
Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches would provide students with the opportunity to consolidate their learning.
Extending the problem
It could also be possible, with some students, to consider how to point the boat upstream, so that it ends up at the point directly opposite the start.
Potential GCSE content covered
In this activity students will cover graphs, Pythagoras theorem and vectors.
All activity sheets, worksheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Mathematical measuring - lengths of leaves
The natural environment – measuring leaves
Trees and their leaves are an important part of our natural environment. We can use our maths and science knowledge to better understand them and hence the environment around us!
In this activity each participant chooses a tree to collect six leaves from. Once the whole class has collected their leaves, return to the classroom to measure the lengths and widths of six leaves from a single tree. Place this data in a table and then calculate the mean average length and width of the leaves from the tree.
As a class discuss the meaning of these values. What do they tell us about the size of the leaves on each tree sampled?
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum; they are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science.
This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners how to collect data and calculate the mean value of a data set. It could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on the use of maths and science to understand the natural environment.
Tools/resources required
Access to an outside area with trees and leaves
Rulers and/or tape measures
Calculators
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download and are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Create a map of local flora and fauna
Gather information about local flora and fauna and create a map with coordinates showing the location of plants and animals
In this engaging activity for KS2, students will work in groups to collect information about the flora and fauna in their area. They will then create a map that displays the location of these plants and animals using coordinates.
This is one of a set of free STEM resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This resource combines understanding of the natural world with maths skills, to create a map and guidebook of the local flora and fauna.
A fun and practical exercise in which students will take real measurements of the area and use grid paper to create a scale representation. Additionally, students will incorporate digital photographs or drawings of the flora and fauna to create informational pages for the guidebook.
For optimal results, it is advisable to conduct this activity in small groups. Selecting a suitable location is crucial, which could be the school grounds, nearby park, or other accessible area such as a local forest.
It may be best if only one team member produces the map, and the other focus on measurement and describing the observed flora and fauna. The flora and fauna could include plants, trees, observed birds and wildlife and insects.
This activity will take approximately 80-120 minutes to complete.
Tools/resources required
Access to an appropriate outside area with flora and fauna
Pencils
Rulers
Clipboards
Digital cameras
Grid sheets to map the local area
Tape measures
Chalk
Glue sticks or sticky tape
The engineering context
Environmental engineers across the globe engage in the mapping of flora and fauna to monitor changes in the natural world. Their research spans a variety of areas, including the impact of deforestation in the Amazon, the effects of climate change in the Polar regions, and the consequences of flooding in Asia.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to draw a map, they will be able to plot the positions using coordinates and they will be able to create, identify, and describe flora and fauna. Additionally, they will be able to use SI units for lengths/distances and they will be able to measure an area and scale it onto a map.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Tally chart activity
In this interactive and engaging activity, students will create a tally chart to collect data and discover the most popular colours in the class. Get ready to observe, count, and tally as you learn more about your classmates’ colour preferences. By the end of this activity, you will not only have a beautiful visual representation of your classes’ favourite colours, but you will also develop your data collection and analysis skills.
Activity
This activity is one of a set of free STEM resources developed to support teaching the primary national curriculum and key topics within maths and science.
In this activity, learners will produce a tally chart of favourite colours in a class. They will split into groups and go around to the other learners in the class, recording their favourite colours in their chart. They will then add up the totals and discuss their results.
This activity could be used as a main lesson to develop knowledge and understanding of recording and displaying data methods or as part of a wider scheme of learning focusing on statistics. It could also be used as a starting point for learning based on the use of colour in Design & Technology.
How long will this activity take?
This activity will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete.
Why do we use tally charts?
Tally charts are used to collect and organise data visually. They provide a quick and efficient way to record and count occurrences or responses. Tally charts help simplify data collection, making it easier to analyse and interpret information and identify patterns or trends.
The engineering context
Transport engineers use tally charts to record how many vehicles, and of what types, pass through road junctions or along busy roads; this helps them to plan the timings of traffic lights and identify routes where changes are needed.
Engineers need an understanding of colour when producing aesthetically pleasing solutions for clients.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to construct a tally chart to record and analyse data about their favourite colours.
Download the free activity sheet!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Salute - KS1 maths card game
Get ready to engage their mathematical skills in this fast-paced and interactive math card game.
This game of Salute will challenge addition abilities, help improve number recognition, and enhance critical thinking skills. It promotes quick thinking, decision-making, and collaboration, making it a perfect activity to strengthen mathematical foundations while having fun.
This activity could be used as a starter activity covering learning from the previous lesson, a plenary activity reinforcing learning that has just taken place, or as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on addition and subtraction.
The rules
Form groups of three and get ready for an engaging activity. Here’s how it works:
Players 1 and 2 each select a numbered card from a pile and hold it against their forehead, facing outward. Make sure they cannot see their own number.
Player 3 adds the two numbers together and announces the total.
Players 1 and 2 use their deduction skills to guess the numbers on their cards based on the total announced by Player 3.
Rotate the roles, with each player taking turns as Player 1, Player 2, and Player 3, and repeat the game.
This entertaining game will challenge your observation and mental calculation abilities while providing a fun opportunity to collaborate and strategise with your group members.
For added competition, a time limit could be set on how long learners have to answer each question.
The game can be played until all learners have had a go in the different roles or as many times as required.
How long will this activity take?
This activity will take approximately 25-40 minutes to complete. Download our free, printable numbered cards below to begin. The numbers 1-20 are provided in line with the KS1 curriculum, but if extra challenge is required, these can be added to.
The engineering context
Engineers must regularly use mathematics knowledge and skills as part of their everyday job. For example, adding up how many parts are needed to build an aeroplane, calculating how strong a bridge needs to be or working out how much material is required to make the surgical gown for a hospital.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to read the numbers 1-20, solve addition problems using the numbers 1-20, and they will be able to add one and two-digit numbers up to 20.
Download the free activity sheet!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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Easy cookie recipe - KS1 maths: Scaling and ratios
This resource focuses on developing the understanding of ratio, fractions and scaling, by scaling up ingredients in a recipe. It could also be linked to learning in food technology, to demonstrate a practical application of maths.
In this activity, students will embark on a delicious culinary adventure as they learn to expand an easy cookie recipe to create larger batches. Scaling up a recipe requires careful calculation and understanding of ingredient proportions and ratios, making it a perfect opportunity to enhance mathematical skills while indulging in the sweet rewards of baking.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to solve a scaling-up problem involving a recipe using maths skills.
The engineering context
Food engineers are employed in food processing, machinery, packaging, and ingredient manufacturing. When a new food product, e.g., a breakfast cereal, has been developed, they may have to plan to scale up the production to make thousands of boxes of it each day.
Download the free activity sheet!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
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How to calculate density
Finding the density of materials by weighing items and immersing them in water
This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This resource focuses on understanding density and, through a series of practical tests, working out which materials are low and high density.
Activity info, teachers’ notes and curriculum links
In this activity learners will learn about the density of materials through testing. Learners will have an opportunity to weigh and work out the volume of an object. They will use this information and their number skills to calculate the density. They will then repeat this for other objects and discuss their results as a class.
This activity could be used as a main lesson activity, to teach learners how to collect data through measurement and to use number skills in a practical context. It could also be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on the use of maths and science to understand the properties of materials.
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Download the activity sheet for free!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Please do share your learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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How much paper comes from a tree
In this fun maths activity for KS2, students will measure the weight of different paper-based packaging materials and calculate the potential number of items that could be produced from an average tree.
This task will teach learners how to use division to solve real-world problems. It can also function as part of a wider scheme of learning centred around utilising mathematics to comprehend ratios and proportions or as an introduction to sustainability concepts.
By considering the number of natural resources needed to make common everyday items, we can also become informed consumers with more awareness of the environmental impact of our consumption.
What you will need
How much paper comes from a tree worksheet
Selection of paper products
Scales
Pencils
Erasers
Calculators
The engineering context
Engineers must possess knowledge of the number of items they can produce from a single source. For instance, in clothes manufacturing, production engineers should be aware of the number of shirts or dresses that can be made from a single roll of fabric.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will be able to know how to use division to solve practical problems, they will be able to convert grams to kilograms, and they will be able to calculate how many paper-based items can be made from one tree.
Download for free!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable so that you can tailor them to your students and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, helpful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation
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How to work out scale
Scaling activity to change the size of items
In this activity learners will change the scale of items, by doubling or halving the size and drawing them to a new scale. Learners will be shown that multiplication and division are useful methods to change the scale of an item.
This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within maths and science. This resource focuses on the use of multiplication and division in the context of scaling an item to either double or half its size.
This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners how to work out scale or to reinforce understanding of multiplication and division. It could be used as one of several activities within a wider scheme of learning focusing on the use of maths to understand ratio and proportion. It could also support the development of drawing skills in art.
The engineering context
Structural engineers collaborate with architects to design various structures, such as houses, hospitals, office blocks, bridges, oil rigs, ships, and aircraft. They create scaled-down drawings for each of these structures.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will know how multiplication and division can be used to work out scale, they will be able to scale drawings back to their original size by either scaling up or scaling down, and they will be able to solve simple problems in scaling contexts, i.e. two times larger and two times smaller.
Download the activity sheets for free!
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Please do share your highlights with us @IETeducation
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How Does the Light from a Torch Change with Distance?
Carry out an experiment to measure how the light from a torch changes with the distance from a lamp
In this activity learners will carry out an experiment to measure how the light from a torch changes with the distance from the lamp. They will record their results in a table and plot a graph.
Activity: How Does the Light from a Torch Change with Distance?
This is one of a set of resources developed to support the teaching of the primary national curriculum. They are designed to support the delivery of key topics within science, design and technology, and maths (in this case, mainly science). This resource focuses on the investigation of how the light from a torch (flashlight) changes with distance.
This activity is designed to be carried out in small groups. It is recommended that the teacher carry out the activity in advance of the lesson, to determine whether the distances suggested give sufficient (or excessive) spread of the light image, as this will be determined by the design of the torch used. It is recommended that new batteries are used in the torch, as the light intensity may be affected by the amount of charge remaining in the batteries.
This could be used as a one-off activity in science or linked to maths learning about tables and graphs.
This activity will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete.
Tools/resources required
Graph paper
Masking tape
Tape measures
Torches/flashlights (with new batteries)
Pencils
(for extension) laser pointer
(for extension) cut-out templates of simple shapes (e.g. square, triangle, circle), mounted on craft sticks
The engineering context
Engineers need to understand how light behaves when designing products for many practical applications. For example, when designing buildings, they may consider the provision of windows and artificial lighting; and when designing cars, they may consider the power and position of both internal and external lights and the placement of mirrors.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will be able to carry out a scientific experiment and they will understand that the distribution of light from a torch changes with distance.
Download the activity sheets for free!
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Please share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation