Taking Maths Outdoors with Raccoon Circles Introductory activities

Created by the co-author of Bloomsbury’s award winning National Curriculum Outdoors series of books and The Sustainability and Climate Change Curriculum Outdoors (2024).
This is the introductory card set for 18 sets of Taking Maths Outdoors’ cards covering Geometry, Measurement, Number activities and Statistics.
It introduces the techniques which are used throughout the TMO sets which are based on ‘Raccoon Circles’. Links to the Raccoon Circles (Team work and Team Play) website are included. If you like the ideas go to the website to download a free pdf of Raccoon Circles games and team building activities.
The cards are in ‘Grab and Go’ format, with clear instructions for the activities linked to NC 2014 Numeracy objectives by year group. If printed double sided, the objectives covered by the tasks are on the front, with the tasks and activities explained on the back. The cards are grouped by mathematical areas.
Simply use the ideas for a mental oral starter, plenary or even a whole maths lesson.
Low preparation and resourcing, all you will need is a length of tubular webbing tape, allowing 35-40cm per child, to create a visual line or circle for the children.
The activities can be done in small focus groups, or as a whole class and although they are designed for the outdoors and need space, they can be done where ever space is available.
The ideas are easily adapted, and before long you (and your class) will be able to use the techniques and invent new activities to make maths memorable!