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For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Number Fluency

Number Fluency

Fluency is the focus of one of the three aims of the new National Curriculum. In this feature we bring together some of the tasks which we think promote numerical fluency in an engaging way. Some of these are games which could be played again and again, whereas others are one-off challenges. The article looks at the meaning of fluency in the context of number, and how it can often be unintentionally misinterpreted.

Developing Number Fluency - What, Why and How 
Age 5 to 11

In this article for primary teachers, Lynne McClure outlines what is meant by fluency in the context of number and explains how our selection of NRICH tasks can help.

Pairs of Numbers 
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level Yellow star

If you have ten counters numbered 1 to 10, how many can you put into pairs that add to 10? Which ones do you have to leave out? Why?

Totality 
Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

This is an adding game for two players. Can you be the first to reach the target?

Strike it Out 
Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.

Four Go 
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

This challenge is a game for two players. Choose two of the numbers to multiply or divide, then mark your answer on the number line. Can you get four in a row?

Shape Times Shape 
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

These eleven shapes each stand for a different number. Can you use the number sentences to work out what they are?

Mystery Matrix 
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

Can you fill in this table square? The numbers 2 -12 were used to generate it with just one number used twice.

Related

  • More Number Fluency Tasks Lower Primary
  • More Number Fluency Tasks Upper Primary
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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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