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For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Jig Shapes

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star
Primary curriculum
  • Problem
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This challenge is best done in a group of at least four children.

puzzle pieces



You'll need to print out this sheet or, if you would like much larger cards, these sheets. The sheets will need to be cut into twelve separate cards.

Share all the cards out amongst the group.

Can you each work out what shape or shapes you have part of on your card?
Can you describe the shapes without showing it to anyone else?
What will the rest of the shape or shapes look like do you think?

How could you sort the cards?

We would love to hear your descriptions and hear about the ways you sorted or arranged the cards.

This problem is also available in French, called Casse-tĂȘte de formes.

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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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