40 Number Square Puzzles for Number Reco

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.