Mathematics
1st and 2nd Class
Please note: Activities marked with * were created to support distance learning
Number
Numeral Roll
A numeral roll is similar to a hundred square except that it is in one long horizontal strip (see images below). This resource is best used by working within a specific range of numbers e.g. 1 - 20, 1 - 30, 28 - 48 etc. rather than using 1 - 100 from the outset. Consider exploring the activities below with your pupils before introducing the one hundred square. The following activities support the development of number word sequences which form an important part of developing pupils' number sense.
Suggested Activities
Invite pupils to name the groups as you show each group (1s, teens, 20s, 30s, etc.).
Name the groups going forwards and backwards. What comes before the twenties? What comes after the fifties?
Display a group on it’s own and ask the pupils to name the group. How do you know this is the 30s group? What do you notice?
Show a number on the numeral roll and with numbers visible ask pupils to say the numbers forwards/backwards from that number. To further challenge the pupils repeat the task with the before/after numbers hidden.
Ask pupils to find a number on the numeral roll. E.g. 26. Take note of how they do this. Do they start from 1 or go straight to the 20s? Do they move up and down the roll showing they are not sure where the number is in relation to the other numbers?
A numeral roll template can be found here. Click here for an online alternative.
Length
Length Scavenger Hunt*
Provide pupils with a list of measurements and ask them to find objects or distances that match the measurement given. The list could also include some non - standard units of measurements and personal benchmarks as well as standard units of measurement. Here are some suggestions:
A length of 10cm
Something that is the same length as the tv remote control
Something that is more than 20cm but less than 1 metre
Something that is around the same length as your little finger
The Magic Plant*
This problem from the Nrich website requires pupils to calculate in centimetres the growth of a magic plant.
Click on the image to access the problem.
Weight
Weigh it Up!*
Invite pupils to construct a homemade coat-hanger balance. Pupils place an item (e.g. a toy, an apple or a book) in one side of the balance. Next, using a chosen non-standard unit of measurement (e.g. cubes), estimate and measure the weight of the item. Encourage your pupils to change the non-standard unit of measurement and repeat the task.
How many cubes do you think this apple weighs?
How will we find out how many cubes it weighs? What will the balance look like?
How many twistables do you think the apple weighs?
Did you need more/less twistables than cubes? Why?
Benchmark Browsing*
The purpose of this activity is to provide pupils with experiences of creating a benchmark of weight. Pupils will need a known weight of 1kg to give the ‘feel’ of a kilogramme. Pupils will then sort various household items into three categories: Less than 1kg, 1kg and More than 1kg. This activity could be extended using ½ kg and ¼ kg as the benchmarks. Estimation is the focus of this activity and pupils may wish to follow-up using digital scales to check their estimations.
Movers and Shakers*
Encourage your pupils to get everyone in the household involved in this activity!
Find a piece of newspaper each (broadsheet works best) and invite your pupils to choose their favourite song/s. Everyone should stand on the newspaper sheet, the music plays and each participant dances on their piece of newspaper. When the music stops, you must fold your newspaper in half. The music continues and again everyone must stay standing on their piece. The music stops and you fold it in half again. You stay in the game as long as you can keep dancing on your folded piece of newspaper.
Representing and Interpreting Data
Toy Story Tally*
Pictures, tables, sketches and tallies are working tools that can be used to organise data. In this activity, pupils have an opportunity to represent data using tallies. Invite pupils to listen to a piece of music and tally the number of times they hear a specified word. For example, pupils could tally the word friend from ‘You’ve got a friend in me’ which is linked on the image.
Sort the Scoop*
Here is a picture of nine ice creams available in the local shop. Encourage your pupils to find as many different ways to sort them into groups as they can. You will find the activity sheet by clicking on the image.