Numeracy: The Number Hunt Challenge
The Number Hunt Challenge
The Number Hunt Challenge is a fun and engaging whole-school numeracy activity that takes place throughout the school day. Y7 – Y11 pupils receive a differentiated booklet filled with numeracy and mathematical questions to solve. All staff members – from teachers and support staff to canteen and premises staff – wear a numbered card around their neck, with each number representing the answer to one of the questions.
Using their mathematical skills, pupils solve the questions and then hunt around the school during their free time to find the staff member displaying the correct answer. Once found, they record the staff member’s name in their booklet.
This exciting challenge creates a real buzz around the academy, encouraging pupils to think mathematically beyond the classroom and demonstrating that numeracy is an important life skill. It also provides a fantastic opportunity for staff to get involved, helping to promote a whole-school culture where mathematics is celebrated and enjoyed by everyone. To add to the excitement, prizes can be awarded to pupils who participate and achieve 100% correct answers in their completed booklets.
The Resources
The Number Hunt Booklets – in this PPT pack there are 5 differentiated pupil booklets (one for Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10 and Y11) and one for staff members. The only thing that needs to be adapted is everything highlighted in yellow. This can be completed once you have finalised the ‘Teacher Name, Number and Answers’ Excel Spreadsheet.
Teacher Name, Number and Answers – this Excel spreadsheet contains:
• Column A: Staff names – this column needs to be updated with the names of staff members in your school.
• Column B: Assigned numbers
• Answers for every pupil booklet’s Page 1 challenge (Factors of 96, Multiples of 7, Prime Numbers and Square Numbers).
If your school has more than 123 staff members, additional rows can be added. If your school has fewer than 123 staff members, reduce the number of staff assigned to the Factors of 96, Multiples of 7, Prime Numbers and Square Numbers categories, as all other answers are required for the activity to function correctly.
Teacher Name Cards – Match each numbered card to the correct staff member using the spreadsheet. Once matched:
• Print the cards.
• Laminate them.
• Cut them out.
• Punch a hole at the top.
• Thread string or lanyards through them.
These cards should then be distributed to staff members, who should wear them throughout the day of the challenge.
The Number Hunt Assembly – This PPT explains how the challenge works and introduces the activity to pupils. It can be delivered during a whole-school assembly or shared with form tutors to present during tutor time.
The Number Hunt Booklet Answers – This PPT contains the complete answer set for all booklets. Staff names should be updated to match those listed in the Teacher Name, Number and Answers spreadsheet.
