This Times Tables game is based on connect four. Children roll a dice, multiply it by a given number and find the product on the game sheet. So far, so simple… However, there are a few MATHSTICKS tweaks. Firstly, the numbers aren’t random. We’ve made grids with products in families so children are encouraged to see the connections between the different multiplication ‘families’. For example, the first set of grids features multiples of 2x, 5x and 10x… This encourages the children to talk to each other about the different products they can see and how they are related. Another grid is formed from the 2x, 4x and 8x ‘family’. If children spend time looking for and discussing the connections and patterns, they will be better placed to think about larger numbers (see the last set of grids). This has a direct, positive impact on their understanding and fluency. Secondly, we suggest using a labelled tray in which to roll the dice. If the children are working with the 3x, 6x and 9x grids, a labelled tray (or box lid) enables them to roll an ordinary dice into the tray – where the dice lands is important! Players multiply the dice number by the number where the dice rests. Checkout the video to see how this works. Thirdly, the grids are ‘double-ended’ so children can play at opposite sides of a table. They colour their own grid, and the winner is the first with four in a row in any direction. Encourage the children to discuss how they know they are correct and what strategy they used to calculate. Have fun. o------o Please rate and comment if you use this and your children gain something from it. Thanks.

This collection of Number Squares has been designed to support children’s understanding of number order and place value. The materials use three strategies to do this. Almost every teacher uses a 100 Square to support their children’s understanding of number. But how do you know that your children have a clear understanding of ‘number’ and are not simply regurgitating numerals in order? Firstly - One very effective way is to use different sized number squares. This resource features eight different 5 x 5 grids and eight 6 x 6 grids. There are missing numbers and the children have to complete the grids, but only in the white spaces! This helps them to focus on the patterns within the numbers rather than just running mindlessly through the counting numbers… filling squares in without really thinking, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9… Working with different number squares mean children will discover new patterns (or see old patterns in new ways) and develop a better sense of number order. This leads directly to better understanding and improved fluencey. Secondly - Working with larger grids with the numbers in ‘standard’ order The resource contains eight different 10 x 10 grids with the number running in the ‘usual’ left-right formation. Again, only the white spaces need to be filled in - leading the children to focus directly on the number sequences rather. Thirdly - Using girds where the number order is unexpected We include a further sixteen different 10 x 10 grids with the numbers starting in different corners and running in different directions, right to left, up to down and down to up! Children who successfully work with these number grids will really enhance their understanding of number order and number properties.

Here’s a set of 40  ‘Challenge on Arrival’ cards with a focus on multiplication. The resource consists of a series of different  challenge ‘cards’ suitable for children in Key-Stage 2. The cards come in sets of 4, each set having different multiplication calculations. When the children arrive in the classroom in the morning (or at the start of a maths session) its useful to make good use of that time. Some teachers use Challenge on Arrival task, (sometimes called “Bell Work”). These are short, self contained tasks, maths challenges which the children complete as soon as they arrive. These challenges are useful since they enable children to put themselves quickly into a mathematical frame of mind from the very start of the session. They can also provide assessment opportunities and initial ‘talking points’ once the session starts. Some maths challenges rely on repetition, and can be uninteresting. The mathsticks Challenges are different. With our maths challenges… marking is negligible explaining what to do is simple the tasks are varied and interesting so each day is different there are enough challenges to cater for different abilities The 10 pages of Challenges each feature a set of Multiplication challenge grids. Each page is divided into 4 ‘cards’ and each card contains an incomplete 4-column grid. The children complete each grid (on their own or with a partner). The grids are designed so that as well as calculating the children have to use their reasoning skills. For example, in most grids a number of the ‘Header’ values are missing and the children will have to use their knowledge of multiplication and division facts to complete these. On each grid there are five selected numbers, these need to be transferred to the final column and the last challenge is to sum all of these numbers. This final addition calculation produces a Check Number. For ease of marking, this is the only number needed to determine if specific calculations are correct. The download comes with detailed teaching points and an answer key.

Here are 16 matchstick puzzles to give children plenty of practice reasoning about and using Roman Numerals. There are four puzzles on each page making it easy to cut into smaller, individual, activity/puzzle cards. The puzzles are ideal if combined with real sticks (match or craft sticks), so the children can attempt each puzzle multiple times. Working with partner would also be beneficial. While an ideal in-class activity, I know of many teachers who have used these as part of homework or as activities for a Maths/Games Club.

This 23-page eBook contains two, engaging, colourful multiplication games. Each is focused on helping children to develop both automaticity and fluency with their Times Tables facts from 2x upto 12x. The first game focuses primarily on understanding and using multiplication facts. The second game draws out connections between families of facts to further support fluency and understanding. Each game is perfect for independent paired work.

A large part of becoming familiar with multiplication facts (Times Tables) is using them regularly in different situations. This series of games makes use of a set of Function Machine cards, the children are thinking about factors while constantly reinforcing their knowledge of products. This resource consists of a carefully chosen set of 36 Machine cards, and 9 Multiplication cards which can act as labels. The Machine cards each depict a factor and a product. Think of these cards as function machines, where the function is always multiplication. The downloadable file explains how to play versions of Bingo, Happy Families, Top Trumps and a solitaire sorting game, Solo. It is an 8-page pdf file with full playing instructions, 36 Machine Cards and 9 Multiplication Cards.

This Roman Numerals activity gives children the chance to focus on the different letters used by the Roman’s to create numbers. The activity consists of a series of word labels. Each word contains letters that make specific numbers. For example, in the word ‘drive’, the letters DIV would make the number 504: D R IV E The challenge is for the children to find the Roman number “hidden” in each of the words, and to put the words in order. The download contains four different sets of 6 word cards, instructions and answers.

For over six years Mathsticks has been creating great maths resources. This special festive pack holds all of our ‘Christmas‘ maths resources from 2010 to 2016. That’s 270 pages of games, puzzles, maths problems and teaching activities (over 120 different resources!) and is a combination of six different mathsticks Christmas eBooks. The pack includes: over 30 festive games more than 50 engaging puzzles over 26 fascinating problems a further 14 different Christmas (and/or Star Wars) related resources 120 different Festive resources across 270 pages. This is 6 years worth of material in one huge download.

The download contains 4 Mathsticks’ Times Tables Games and Activities. Each game is a carefully focused multiplication resource. The games are ideal for whole-class, paired work or individual practice situations. Each is designed to offer practice with all of the multiplication facts from 2x to 12x (and a few that extend that range too). Children will find they are looking for patterns, comparing calculations and faced with multiple opportunities to practice and apply their Times Tables knowledge and develop excellent fluency in co-operative learning situations.

‘Top Trumps’ meets Times Tables in this Buildings-themed game. The download contains instructions and 27 different cards. Each card features four Times Tables calculations. Children play, using normal Top Trump rules, by choosing a calculation - the larger product wins the cards. How many different buildings can you collect?

This fun game uses ‘Top Trumps’ style cards to enable children to practice addition and multiplication strategies while reinforcing correct mathematical vocabulary. There are 36 cards; each featuring an image of a mathsticks figure and two mathematical statements. The first statement on each card is an addition and the other a multiplication. While playing a Top Trumps type game, the children challenge each other as to whose card displays the higher value – product or sum! However, the educational value doesn’t end there… The statements offer four different mathematical elements (or categories): product sum factors addends This game is ideal for Key Stage 2 children who have a reasonable understanding of multiplication facts and addition strategies. The download features extensive teacher notes and a set of 36 printable cards.

This 53 page eBook is is a full discourse on how to teach Roman Numerals (properly) The book includes mathsticks unique “Five Stages of Teaching Roman Numerals” together with a bumper collection of information sheets, posters and assessment materials for teaching Roman Numerals. If you are teaching about Roman Numerals – you will do it 100 times better with this eBook!

This is more than just an assembly... it's a maths activity that will inspire and entertain. You can also use it as a superb introduction to some great mathematical reasoning for Key Stage 2 or 3. The downloadable booklet will enable you to instant demonstrate some truly baffling mathematical magic addition. Imagine hearing this: 3769 + 7972 + 4386 + 8257 …and instantly knowing the answer. You use a selection of *Squashy Boxes* to create a series of random numbers. Your audience can use a calculator to add the numbers together, or work on paper… it doesn’t matter what they use – you already have the answer! In fact you can write the answer down the instant you see (or hear) the four random numbers! The download is a beautifully illustrated, 7-page file detailing the complete workings of the ‘trick’. The file includes all of the resources you need and a number of additional ideas and tips. The magic trickery can easily be adapted so you can perform the same mathematical-magic with 2-digit or 3-digit numbers too.

Here are 16 of our favourite dice games in a 41 page eBook. The maths games focus on addition, subtraction and multiplication for both KS1 and KS2 children. Most of the games have beautifully designed game boards (some have multiple versions of the boards) together with clear instructions and additional ideas for further adaptation and development.

A creative way to involve your children in problem solving while using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Monster Towers uses a fun, monster-themed, game-board, 3 dice and a collection of counters. The game is to build towers by creating calculations which match the Monster's numbers. This is an eight page download with detailed playing instructions and 4 different playing boards (you will need your own counters, dice and children).

The 6 page pdf file contains 100 two-step problems, such as: Subtract 12 from the product of 7 and 2 Double the difference between 28 and 41 Multiply a fifth of 20 by 10 Five times a number has the same value as 28 + 17. What is the number? This maths activity focused on helping children to work out what to do when faced with a two-step problem. Working with thinking partners, each child has a problem card. They take it in turns to read it out and discuss how it could be attacked; discussing what maths functions they need to apply in order to solve the problem. Importantly, they must also decide on the order of those functions and be prepared to explain everything to each other. The focus (as with most mathsticks resources) is very much on the maths talk. This is a very useful activity for either the introductory or plenary phase of a lesson with children working together on mini whiteboards. The maths problems could also be used as part of group activity. Naturally, the focus is on the mathematical talk and the decisions the children make regarding the problem rather than on the actual “answer”. The problems here could easily be adapted or enhanced. In a following session the children could be asked to create their own problems, using these as a template, but focusing on specific concepts: subtraction and percentages, for example. 10 pages with 10 problems each - print, cut out, laminate, use and re-use. If you use this, please rate the resource so others can find it, and post a comment to let me know how it worked for you.

These quick maths challenges enable children to get quickly into a mathematical frame of mind at the very start of the session. There are 72 short, self contained challenges featuring all four functions. 12 sets of differentiated 'cards' enable children to access the work at their own level. Importantly, unlike some Challenge on Arrival tasks, marking is negligible with these. It is also very easy to explain what to do, but the tasks are varied and interesting. The challenges can also provide assessment opportunities and initial ‘talking points’ once the session starts.

The Mathematics Medicine booklet consists of 8 pages of maths problems suitable for Year 3 children. The booklet uses the idea of a weird ‘medicine’ recipe from Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine. In this maths resource, George’s teacher has designed his own weird medicine and the ingredients are all hidden inside this book of problems. The children are presented with a series of problems and puzzles, each of which is based on a calculation skill linked to the National Curriculum. As they solve the problems they will reveal the strange ingredient’s in their teachers recipe. Have fun. Note - this works best when printed as an A5 (folding) booklet - there are instructions on the pdf for this. Alos see mathsticks.com for more information. Please rate!

Not your usual 'Follow Me&' cards! These are top quality images to really engage your children. The activity/game works in the usual way, but the resource itself is second to none (think 'Marks & Spencers'). Give it a go - quality resources = quality learning!

A Halloween themed measuring activity/game. The children can use the broomstick images as non-standard units for measuring items, or estimate and then measure each broomstick in cm. Full activity details on the mathsticks.com website.