Working Systematically at KS1
Finding All Possibilities Lower Primary
These activities focus on finding all possible solutions so working in a systematic way will ensure none are left out.
Ordered Ways of Working Lower Primary
These activities lend themselves to systematic working in the sense that it helps to have an ordered approach.
Inside Triangles
How many different triangles can you draw on the dotty grid which each have one dot in the middle?
Thirsty?
Can you lay out the pictures of the drinks in the way described by the clue cards?
Button-up
My coat has three buttons. How many ways can you find to do up all the buttons?
Robot Monsters
Use these head, body and leg pieces to make Robot Monsters which are different heights.
Two Dice
Find all the numbers that can be made by adding the dots on two dice.
A City of Towers
In this town, houses are built with one room for each person. There are some families of seven people living in the town. In how many different ways can they build their houses?
Same Length Trains
How many trains can you make which are the same length as Matt's and Katie's, using rods that are identical?
Triangle Animals
How many different ways can you find to join three equilateral triangles together? Can you convince us that you have found them all?
Ladybirds in the Garden
In Sam and Jill's garden there are two sorts of ladybirds with 7 spots or 4 spots. What numbers of total spots can you make?
Three Ball Line Up
Use the interactivity to help get a feel for this problem and to find out all the possible ways the balls could land.
One of Thirty-six
Can you find the chosen number from the grid using the clues?
6 Beads
If you put three beads onto a tens/ones abacus you can make the numbers 3, 30, 12 or 21. What numbers can be made with six beads?
Eggs in Baskets
There are three baskets, a brown one, a red one and a pink one, holding a total of 10 eggs. How many eggs are in each basket?
Sitting Round the Party Tables
Sweets are given out to party-goers in a particular way. Investigate the total number of sweets received by people sitting in different positions.
Growing Garlic
Ben and his mum are planting garlic. Can you find out how many cloves of garlic they might have had?
Beads and Bags
How could you put these three beads into bags? How many different ways can you do it? How could you record what you've done?
Teddy Town
There are nine teddies in Teddy Town - three red, three blue and three yellow. There are also nine houses, three of each colour. Can you put them on the map of Teddy Town according to the rules?
Five Coins
Ben has five coins in his pocket. How much money might he have?
School Fair Necklaces
How many possible symmetrical necklaces can you find? How do you know you've found them all?