Here is what Holy Redeemer children got up to during Maths Challenge Week!
Reception class worked hard on estimating at their Estimation Station. They estimated how many candles were in the pot, then checked by counting them. They then discussed who had made a sensible guess, and if their estimates where close/way out and why? They also went outside to learn about 4 and 5. They collected and threaded 4 or 5 leaves to make a necklace, filled 5 frames
and collected natural resources to represent these amounts.
Year 1 were asked to show their favourite part/s of maths for their homework. They were very imaginative creating their own games, quizzes, songs, posters and showing mathematical concepts concretely. They spent some time this week developing their problem solving and reasoning skills through some fun activities!
Year 2 took their maths lesson outdoors to kickstart Maths Week! They worked collaboratively to solve problems involving adding 3 single digit numbers such as finding the highest total, different ways to make a total of 6 and 9 and then exploring what other totals could be made. The challenges continued back in the classroom, where they used Base 10 and other apparatus, recall of number bonds and adding to the next 10!
Year 3 worked practically to solve the Duck Pond problem. They were developing their ability to: solve mathematical problems and puzzles; recall multiplication facts for the 2 and 5 times tables; and discussing strategies to help them add three or four numbers quickly. They had a lot of fun
trying to solve the problem, and get the right number of ‘ducks’ in each pond.
Year 4 began the morning with some simple substitution algebra to work out the prices of fruit in a shop. Some children took this a step further and used these substitutions to solve more complex algebraic expressions. They also had a go at the ‘broken chessboard’ puzzle problem, developed by famous 19th century mathematician and puzzler Henry Ernest Dudeney. Finally, they finished off the morning by exercising logic and strategic thinking with some games of
chess.
Year 5 worked collaboratively to solve a classic river crossing logic puzzle. They had to use careful reasoning to plan a sequence of safe boat crossings. They had to consider the consequences of each move, avoid problematic pairings, and explain why certain choices would or wouldn’t work. By testing ideas, correcting mistakes, and justifying their thinking, the children developed their logical-thinking and problem-solving skills – and had great fun doing so!
Year 6 worked hard in class to solve lots of word and logic problems. They have been busy applying their basic skills to solve lots of one and two-step problems.
Well done everyone, what wonderful mathematicians you all are!
