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Let's Get Flexible!
Arranging Additions and Sorting Subtractions
Fruity Pairs
Subtraction Slip
Picture Your Method
Compare the Calculations
Countdown
Method in Multiplying Madness?
A Flexible Approach to Calculating
A Flexible Approach to Calculating
The tasks in this feature are designed to encourage learners to make, and justify, decisions about the method they use to solve a calculation. If we give pupils opportunities to choose a method that is well suited to a particular calculation, they will become curious, adventurous mathematicians, and are more likely to be accurate compared with following a procedure without reflecting first.
Let's Get Flexible! Age 5 to 11
Age 5 to 11
In this article for primary teachers, Ems outlines how we can encourage learners to be flexible in their approach to calculation, and why this is crucial.
Arranging Additions and Sorting Subtractions Age 5 to 7Challenge Level 
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Order these four calculations from easiest to hardest. How did you decide?
Fruity Pairs Age 5 to 7Challenge Level
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Which two items of fruit could Kate and Sam choose? Can you order the prices from lowest to highest?
Subtraction Slip Age 5 to 7Challenge Level
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Can you spot the mistake in this video? How would you work out the answer to this calculation?
Picture Your Method Age 7 to 11Challenge Level
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
Can you match these calculation methods to their visual representations?
Compare the Calculations Age 7 to 11Challenge Level
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
Can you put these four calculations into order of difficulty? How did you decide?
Countdown Age 7 to 14Challenge Level
Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level
Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.
Method in Multiplying Madness? Age 7 to 14Challenge Level
Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level
Watch our videos of multiplication methods that you may not have met before. Can you make sense of them?