Stand-up

This works well as a starter for key stage 2 pupils, for the rapid recall of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. It also works at key stage 3 as a starter on mental methods and rapid recall of number facts. Requires a set of 0-100 number cards (per class)

What to do

* GIVE each pupil a number card.

* Call out two pupils’ names.

* Both pupils stand and call out their number.

* Ask them a question such as: “What is the product of these two numbers? Tell me the difference between these numbers?”

* Add these two numbers together? The first pupil to answer correctly remains standing, while the other sits down. Ask another pupil to stand. Once again both pupils call out their number and you ask them a question.

* Repeat this process, quickening the pace and asking questions that are appropriate to the ability of individual pupils.

Variations

* Get other pupils in the class to ask the children standing up a question.

* Ask questions related to other topics, such as properties of number and number sequences for key stage 2 pupils, and place value, ordering and rounding, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio and proportion for key stage 2 and 3 pupils.

Peter Clarke is a freelance maths writer and consultant