This Times Tables game is based on connect four. Children roll a dice, multiply it by a given number and find the product on the game sheet. So far, so simple… However, there are a few MATHSTICKS tweaks. Firstly, the numbers aren’t random. We’ve made grids with products in families so children are encouraged to see the connections between the different multiplication ‘families’. For example, the first set of grids features multiples of 2x, 5x and 10x… This encourages the children to talk to each other about the different products they can see and how they are related. Another grid is formed from the 2x, 4x and 8x ‘family’. If children spend time looking for and discussing the connections and patterns, they will be better placed to think about larger numbers (see the last set of grids). This has a direct, positive impact on their understanding and fluency. Secondly, we suggest using a labelled tray in which to roll the dice. If the children are working with the 3x, 6x and 9x grids, a labelled tray (or box lid) enables them to roll an ordinary dice into the tray – where the dice lands is important! Players multiply the dice number by the number where the dice rests. Checkout the video to see how this works. Thirdly, the grids are ‘double-ended’ so children can play at opposite sides of a table. They colour their own grid, and the winner is the first with four in a row in any direction. Encourage the children to discuss how they know they are correct and what strategy they used to calculate. Have fun. o------o Please rate and comment if you use this and your children gain something from it. Thanks.

This collection of Number Squares has been designed to support children’s understanding of number order and place value. The materials use three strategies to do this. Almost every teacher uses a 100 Square to support their children’s understanding of number. But how do you know that your children have a clear understanding of ‘number’ and are not simply regurgitating numerals in order? Firstly - One very effective way is to use different sized number squares. This resource features eight different 5 x 5 grids and eight 6 x 6 grids. There are missing numbers and the children have to complete the grids, but only in the white spaces! This helps them to focus on the patterns within the numbers rather than just running mindlessly through the counting numbers… filling squares in without really thinking, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9… Working with different number squares mean children will discover new patterns (or see old patterns in new ways) and develop a better sense of number order. This leads directly to better understanding and improved fluencey. Secondly - Working with larger grids with the numbers in ‘standard’ order The resource contains eight different 10 x 10 grids with the number running in the ‘usual’ left-right formation. Again, only the white spaces need to be filled in - leading the children to focus directly on the number sequences rather. Thirdly - Using girds where the number order is unexpected We include a further sixteen different 10 x 10 grids with the numbers starting in different corners and running in different directions, right to left, up to down and down to up! Children who successfully work with these number grids will really enhance their understanding of number order and number properties.

Here’s a set of 40  ‘Challenge on Arrival’ cards with a focus on multiplication. The resource consists of a series of different  challenge ‘cards’ suitable for children in Key-Stage 2. The cards come in sets of 4, each set having different multiplication calculations. When the children arrive in the classroom in the morning (or at the start of a maths session) its useful to make good use of that time. Some teachers use Challenge on Arrival task, (sometimes called “Bell Work”). These are short, self contained tasks, maths challenges which the children complete as soon as they arrive. These challenges are useful since they enable children to put themselves quickly into a mathematical frame of mind from the very start of the session. They can also provide assessment opportunities and initial ‘talking points’ once the session starts. Some maths challenges rely on repetition, and can be uninteresting. The mathsticks Challenges are different. With our maths challenges… marking is negligible explaining what to do is simple the tasks are varied and interesting so each day is different there are enough challenges to cater for different abilities The 10 pages of Challenges each feature a set of Multiplication challenge grids. Each page is divided into 4 ‘cards’ and each card contains an incomplete 4-column grid. The children complete each grid (on their own or with a partner). The grids are designed so that as well as calculating the children have to use their reasoning skills. For example, in most grids a number of the ‘Header’ values are missing and the children will have to use their knowledge of multiplication and division facts to complete these. On each grid there are five selected numbers, these need to be transferred to the final column and the last challenge is to sum all of these numbers. This final addition calculation produces a Check Number. For ease of marking, this is the only number needed to determine if specific calculations are correct. The download comes with detailed teaching points and an answer key.

Here are 16 matchstick puzzles to give children plenty of practice reasoning about and using Roman Numerals. There are four puzzles on each page making it easy to cut into smaller, individual, activity/puzzle cards. The puzzles are ideal if combined with real sticks (match or craft sticks), so the children can attempt each puzzle multiple times. Working with partner would also be beneficial. While an ideal in-class activity, I know of many teachers who have used these as part of homework or as activities for a Maths/Games Club.

What’s a really fun way to match a quantity to its numeral? … Do it with penguins! This download features a set of o-10 numbered penguins and a set of 0-10 eggs. Match the number to the quantity. What makes it special is the choice of ‘eggs’. Some are set out as a pattern to aid recognition (subitising), while another set consists of random patterns to focus on counting. The penguins are special too… they feature different colours to indicate odd or even numbers. This activity works well alongside numicon resources, and can be used as a teaching activity or a game. We also include a matching penguin numberline, too.

This 23-page eBook contains two, engaging, colourful multiplication games. Each is focused on helping children to develop both automaticity and fluency with their Times Tables facts from 2x upto 12x. The first game focuses primarily on understanding and using multiplication facts. The second game draws out connections between families of facts to further support fluency and understanding. Each game is perfect for independent paired work.

A large part of becoming familiar with multiplication facts (Times Tables) is using them regularly in different situations. This series of games makes use of a set of Function Machine cards, the children are thinking about factors while constantly reinforcing their knowledge of products. This resource consists of a carefully chosen set of 36 Machine cards, and 9 Multiplication cards which can act as labels. The Machine cards each depict a factor and a product. Think of these cards as function machines, where the function is always multiplication. The downloadable file explains how to play versions of Bingo, Happy Families, Top Trumps and a solitaire sorting game, Solo. It is an 8-page pdf file with full playing instructions, 36 Machine Cards and 9 Multiplication Cards.

This is a 60+ page pdf eBook bursting with over 56 different, highly colourful, themed, Game Boards – all easily adaptable to any maths area. As you would expect the quality of these game boards is very high, each with new images or layouts, each with images of such high quality you could use them in on an IWB or print them at much larger than the A4 format. The themed game boards can easily adapted to suit any mathematical concept, and/or the children could be encouraged to create their own rules using the game boards. Most are suited to Key Stage 1 or early Key Stage 2. However, they could be adapted for older children too! The book includes a mix of full colour and black and white game boards – but all can be printed black and white if you prefer. All the game boards are A4, but could be printed at for A3 if you wish. Note, the images generally stretch to the edge of the paper so you may need to print on a full page setting.

Like our other counting number resources this one is designed to help young children get to grips with number recognition and aspects of counting. We have a series of fun ‘superhero’ images which illustrate the numbers from 0 to 10. As usual, we have a built-in a break between the fifth and sixth image to better support counting and understanding. You can use this maths resource as a poster, or as a table activity. If you cut the pages into separate strips the children can sort, count and order them. If you remove the digit labels on the end of each strip, the children can… arrange the lines of superheroes in order, match them with counters, peg them onto a number line, or re-label them.

Here’s a ‘friendly’ way to count on Monster. This clean, simple, number resource is designed to enable young children to develop their understanding of number recognition and counting. It can be used as a display poster, desktop counting resource or a direct counting activity. This simple visual number line from mathsticks.com offers a wealth of maths activities and/or assessment opportunities. Combine the three pages to make one tall poster showing numbers from zero to 10. Cut each page into horizontal strips so children can sort or count the monster-lines. Children can match a quantity of counters to a monster-line. Cut away the digit labels and have the children put the monster-lines in order. Cut away the digit labels and ask the children to re-label the monster-lines. The monster-lines have been designed with a visual break after the fifth one. This makes number combinations easy to recognise: 6 is 5 and 1; 7 is 5 and 2; 8 is 5 and 3; etc

This is an engaging problem solving activity for children aged 6-8. This resource consists of a square ‘box’ template and an image of a number of domino. Children need to work with a set of real dominoes and find the ones in the images. First, they can match the real dominoes to the illustrations on the right hand side of the sheet. Next, they need to re-arrange the four dominoes on the square template so that the spots on each side** total a given number**. Working with the activity will involve the children in using their calculation skills as well as thinking carefully about where (and how) the dominoes are best placed. Once correctly placed in the square all four sides should total the given number. The downloadable materials offer different problems where the total is 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The final section consists of six separate pages (twelve different problems) where the total is 10.

This Roman Numerals activity gives children the chance to focus on the different letters used by the Roman’s to create numbers. The activity consists of a series of word labels. Each word contains letters that make specific numbers. For example, in the word ‘drive’, the letters DIV would make the number 504: D R IV E The challenge is for the children to find the Roman number “hidden” in each of the words, and to put the words in order. The download contains four different sets of 6 word cards, instructions and answers.

Get your children working (and talking) together by letting them work on these ‘matchstick puzzles’. We’ve pulled together 19 of our favourite ‘stick‘ puzzles and formatted them so they can be printed and cut into separate puzzle cards. Children can work on them with craft sticks, toothpicks, cotton buds, strips of card… or even on a whiteboard or scrap paper. This is a great way to explore thinking skills and problem-solving approaches. The 9-page download includes: 8 (traditional) move 2 sticks to make 4 squares/triangles 7 original Roman Numeral puzzles 4 tricky digit calculation puzzles

For over six years Mathsticks has been creating great maths resources. This special festive pack holds all of our ‘Christmas‘ maths resources from 2010 to 2016. That’s 270 pages of games, puzzles, maths problems and teaching activities (over 120 different resources!) and is a combination of six different mathsticks Christmas eBooks. The pack includes: over 30 festive games more than 50 engaging puzzles over 26 fascinating problems a further 14 different Christmas (and/or Star Wars) related resources 120 different Festive resources across 270 pages. This is 6 years worth of material in one huge download.

Here’s a series of monster-themed games that help children to practice addition or multiplication facts. There are three games available: one designed to practice the addition of three numbers; one focused on multiples to 6×6; one focused on multiples to 10×6. Each game has the same rules and a similar playing board. The games can be played with dice, or the included spinners. This is a 10-page download from mathsticks.com

Tens Frames and Number Bonds materials The resource consists of images of tens-frames using cars rather than counters. Each image depicts a set of cars in a car park. The arrangement of the vehicles creates a pair of numbers which total 10. A set of Number Sentence cards can be used so the children can label the tens-frames. The resource also includes a blank ‘car park’ tens-frame and associated images of cars so children can create their own combinations and problems.

The download contains 4 Mathsticks’ Times Tables Games and Activities. Each game is a carefully focused multiplication resource. The games are ideal for whole-class, paired work or individual practice situations. Each is designed to offer practice with all of the multiplication facts from 2x to 12x (and a few that extend that range too). Children will find they are looking for patterns, comparing calculations and faced with multiple opportunities to practice and apply their Times Tables knowledge and develop excellent fluency in co-operative learning situations.

‘Top Trumps’ meets Times Tables in this Buildings-themed game. The download contains instructions and 27 different cards. Each card features four Times Tables calculations. Children play, using normal Top Trump rules, by choosing a calculation - the larger product wins the cards. How many different buildings can you collect?

This Pirate-themed addition game was designed to give young children plenty of opportunities to reason mathematically and add numbers. The players have a Pirate game board between them and a pile of 10 coloured counters each. They take it in turn to roll three dice. The player who rolled now works out the sum of the three numbers and looks for this number on the board. If the number is available he/she can cover it with one of their own counters. Play passes to the next player who does the same. This is repeated until one person has managed to use all 10 of his/her counters… or until the board is full. Where’s the learning? The mathematical learning is in the repeated addition and (importantly) in the sharing of strategies. See the mathsticks site for fuller information about the pedagogical teaching behind this activity.

This fun game uses ‘Top Trumps’ style cards to enable children to practice addition and multiplication strategies while reinforcing correct mathematical vocabulary. There are 36 cards; each featuring an image of a mathsticks figure and two mathematical statements. The first statement on each card is an addition and the other a multiplication. While playing a Top Trumps type game, the children challenge each other as to whose card displays the higher value – product or sum! However, the educational value doesn’t end there… The statements offer four different mathematical elements (or categories): product sum factors addends This game is ideal for Key Stage 2 children who have a reasonable understanding of multiplication facts and addition strategies. The download features extensive teacher notes and a set of 36 printable cards.