MatExTwo
Ages 7 to 8

Exploring Shape and Space Repeating Patterns
Stage: 1
This problem offers children the opportunity to recognize, make and describe repeating patterns of triangles, and then challenges them to create repeating patterns of their own. Arranging Cubes
Stage: 1 and 2
This task encourages the development of team-working skills such as listening, asking questions, finding out what others think, reflecting and making sense of what has been said, and eventually coming to a consensus. If you wish to learn more about these skills and find other team-building tasks look at this article.
In addition learners are expected to use precision in describing an arrangement of objects. Tri.'s
Stage: 2
This problem is ideal for helping pupils get a broader idea about triangles. It also gives the pupils a chance to explore some of the properties of triangles for themselves.

Exploring Number and Structure

Take Three Numbers
Stage: 2
What happens when you add three numbers together? Will your answer be odd or even? How do you know?

This problem supports the development of the idea of generic proof with the children. This is a tricky concept to grasp but it draws attention to mathematical structures that are not often addressed at primary school level. Generic proof involves examining one example in detail to identify structures that will prove the general result. A worthwhile activity which provides opportunities for children to explore odd and even numbers and the relationship between them. Proof is a fundamental idea in mathematics and in helping them to do this problem you will be encouraging them to behave like mathematicians.

Skills and concepts experienced: Mathematical reasoning & proof. Working systematically. Trial and improvement. Addition & subtraction. Combinations. Multiplication & division. Investigations. Odd and even numbers. Visualising. Making and proving conjectures.

Three neighbours
Stage: 2
Look at three 'next door neighbours' amongst the counting numbers. Add them together. What do you notice?

This problem supports the development of the idea of generic proof with the children. This is a tricky concept to grasp but it draws attention to mathematical structures that are not often addressed at primary school level. A worthwhile activity which provides opportunities for children to explore consecutive numbers and the relationship between them. Generic proof involves examining one example in detail to identify structures that will prove the general result. Proof is a fundamental idea in mathematics and in encouraging them to do this problem you will be helping them to behave like mathematicians.

Skills and concepts experienced: Visualising. Properties of numbers. Factors and multiples. Divisibility. Making and proving conjectures. Multiplication & division. Interactivities. Working systematically. Mathematical reasoning & proof. Generalising.

Build it Up 
Stage: 2
Can you find all the ways to get 15 at the top of this triangle of numbers?

This activity encourages learners to be creative mathematicians. Mathematics is certainly a creative subject. It involves spotting patterns, making connections, finding new ways of looking at things and using what you already know in new contexts. Creative mathematicians play around with examples, draw pictures, have the courage to experiment and ask good questions

Skills and concepts experienced: Investigations. Combinations. Factors and multiples. Interactivities. Addition & subtraction. Generalising. Visualising. Practical Activity. Working systematically. Multiplication & division.