One of the reasons that we are able to count a number of objects quickly is that we recognise the pattern. Dice patterns are an obvious example of this – we recognise the pattern of four dots in a square with the fifth in the middle as 5 without actually counting them. Children starting maths [...]

Here is a fun activity for children who are learning to count and are just realising that numbers of objects remain the same even if they are hidden or moved. You need: a cloth and five small toys. Show the toys, count them together and agree on the total. Cover the toys with the cloth. [...]

Because the ten times table is a relatively easy table to learn this game becomes more a game of strategy. Can the player going second win the game? The idea is to get four in a row by working out which numbers need to be multiplied by 10 to get the answers on the grid. [...]

We have just published the next week’s resources to fit in with the Primary Framework plans for Year 1 Summer term. For teachers, that’s Block C Unit 3 Week 1. Handling data is the theme for the week and we have a great selection of pages, including Venn diagrams, Carroll diagrams and block graphs. We [...]

This is a great game for year 1 addition, involving two players. You need two coloured pens to show who has answered the questions and a calculator in the case of any disputes! Player 1 (with the red pen) goes first and chooses a square and writes down the correct answer to the sum. Then [...]

Making patterns can occur in a whole range of activities and can get as tricky as you like. Here are a few ideas for starting off with objects that you can find around the house. Collect buttons as they make a great resource for pattern making as well as counting. Lay 4 or 5 buttons [...]

We have just published the next week’s resources to fit in with the Primary Framework plans for Year 1 Summer term. For teachers, that’s Block B Unit 3 Week 3. This is a great combination of printable pages on money, patterns in subtraction, ordinal numbers, 2D shape and a ‘how many ways?’ challenge. Ideal for [...]

Here we have four challenging pages  which can be used as a quick assessment on how well addition facts have been mastered. There are two sets of 15 questions on each of the four pages. Each set cover the following skills; 1. Adding 10 to a 2-digit number 2. Adding 9 to a 2-digit number [...]

This is the third in our mini series of calculator games which help with learning tables. The answers to the 5x table are on the grid. You have to work out what multiplied by 5 will give these answers. One go at a time, played with a partner and a calculator is used to check [...]

Continuing with our weekly programme of resources for Year 1, this week concentrates on number facts and understanding shape. For those teachers out there, it has been written for Block B Unit 3. We have 21 pages of practical ideas, mental arithmetic, printable resources and a great 9 tile shape investigation, which makes the perfect [...]