Mathematical Olympics - A Fully Planned, Differentiated Event For Primary Schools

A fun mathematical event that links the teamwork skills and effort involved in the Olympics with mathematical concepts found in the primary curriculum. Ideal for Key Stage 2 classes (ages 7-11), but adaptable to younger children by selecting only the ‘bronze’ level (see below).

Fully resourced activities that only require a few resources that will be found in your school (e.g. plastic hoops, stopwatch, coloured cubes, etc).

In small teams, children will tackle 8 fun, maths-based tasks to earn medals and score points for their team.

Each task has three differentiated options: bronze, silver and gold. These are broadly aimed at KS1, lower KS2 and upper KS2, but are provided to give children the option of challenging themselves to earn more points for their team.

At each of the eight tasks, one team member must be chosen to compete, with the team mates giving help verbally, but without touching or pointing to the task. The result is that every child has an important role and remains engaged throughout the whole event.

The tasks are:
· Sprint and Sort (including Venn diagrams and maths vocab)
· Blind Build (communication and teamwork are vital here)
· Problem Solving (logic puzzles)
· Coordinate Treasure Hunt (reading grid references or (x,y) coordinate grids)
· Mental Calculation Workout (mental addition and problem solving)
· Tangram Timeout (a geometry based task)
· Multiple Obstacles (an obstacle race with a times tables twist)
· Code Breaker (place value knowledge will come in useful here)

This event is suitable for either a single year group class or a mixed class. Just make sure the teams are well balanced and off you go! It has been designed for 32 children to take part at a time, although this can easily be adjusted by altering team sizes.

Size of PDF: 69 pages.

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