I love this way of linking maths with art for Years 2 to 6 (and making a great wall display). Tell children to draw a monster with a certain number of heads, arms, legs, eyes and so on. Tell them to copy calculations in one corner, such as 3 + 5 heads, 10 - 1 eyes, 4 + 7 arms, 22 - 23 toes. These can be adjusted for age group, eg 5 x 7 toes, 6.5 + 7.5 heads. The children have to do the calculations correctly then draw or paint their monster, and finally get a friend to check the numbers of toes etc.
Ian Ward
Assistant adviser primary mathematics, South-Eastern Education and Library Board, Belfast.
