Calculator Activity

This calculator activity is my development of one which was published as part of the National Numeracy Strategy in 1999. It has a dual focus; the first one (as you might expect) is to involve the children in accurately using a calculator. The second is to engage the children in reading numerical vocabulary.

The download file contain a series of 32 individual question cards. Print out, and then cut up into separate cards

Let the children work in pairs, give each pair a number of cards, and a calculator.

In their pairs the children take it in turns to be the ‘reader’ and the ‘calculator’. The ‘reader’ selects a card and calls out the numbers (keeping the ‘Check’ value hidden). Their partner listens carefully and enters the numbers into the calculator, adding them in the process. Once complete, the child with the calculator reveals the total, if it matches the ‘Check’ value on the card they know the reader and the calcuator user were both accurate. They can keep the card.

If the sum and the ‘Check’ number does not match they should replace the card in order to repeat it again later.

The children swap roles and continue until all of their cards have been used.

Further details at www.mathsticks.com