Complete each maze in the most efficient way possible. Add the values of all the squares visited together, match the answer to the appropriate letter to work out the punchline to the joke. Ideal as a diagnostic tool to identify numeracy deficit. Key words: add, addition, revision activity, homework, diagnostic activity for number, total, fraction, mixed numbers, improper fractions, directed numbers, calculation maze, puzzle, joke, practice, math joke, maths jokes, mathematics, did you hear about the four blokes who stole a calendar, unlock untangle understand.

Not as simple to do as it looks. Match ten mathematical homonyms to their meaning in mathematics and in everyday English.. An interesting activity to promote discussion and the importance of subject specific vocabulary (answers provided). Key words: math homonym, vocabulary, EFL, meanings, definitions, different contexts, literacy in mathematics, match (terms used: sign, root, product, term, mean, even, difference, face, negative, power ).

Find a fraction of an amount using unitary fractions to calculate the punchline to a joke. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Key words: denominator, unitary fraction, proportion, fraction, fraction of an amount, share, whole, hole, total, joke, maths joke, punchline, decode, if it takes six men one hour to dig three holes...

Students decode a paragraph to find out about the first force that anyone really figured out in any detail; gravity. The puzzle relies on an ability to multiply by 2, 5 and 10. It can be used to identify a numeracy deficit involving simple multiplication. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors (answers included). Can be used in Science or Mathematics. Keywords: Physics, forces, 2s, 5s, 10s, times table, message, decode, gravity, interact, reaction, direction, worksheet, cross curricular numeracy, numeracy, deficit, math, maths, numeracy across learning, (unlock untangle understand).

Solve simple problems involving proportion, find the value of the shaded sector by working out the relationship between the fraction given and the sector required. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! For more resources like this search for: Proportion - A pack - work out the value of the shaded sector to decode the joke. Key words: proportion, equivalent quantity, fraction, fraction of an amount, pie chart, multiply, divide, share, sector, circle, whole, total, joke, decode, maths joke.

Round each number to one significant figure first, then calculate to make an estimate of the calculation to decode the joke. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! The puzzle also supports literacy students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to work out the answer (answers included). Key words: Estimation, estimate, place value, significant figure, joke, decode. round, significant figure, estimating, rounding, worksheet, joke, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Updated 23 June 2016 Although negative numbers have been in use in India since the middle ages, they were not fully adopted across Europe until the seventeenth century. Use this addition and subtraction puzzle using directed numbers to help students find out a little bit of the history of negative numbers. If you find this resource useful, there are more. Search for: decode the origins of the decimal point or decode the origins of our decimal number system. Key words: directed numbers, negative, positive, add, subtract, number line, count forwards, count backwards, zero, did you know, codes, decode, worksheet, history of mathematics, puzzle book.

Solve simple problems involving proportion. Find the value of the shaded sector by working out the relationship between the information given and the sector required. Could be used as a starter for pie charts (because the jokes link to pies and circles), or as a fraction of an amount activity or to develop proportional reasoning. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! (answers included) Key words: proportion, equivalent quantity, unitary fraction, fraction, fraction of an amount, pie chart, multiply, divide, share, sector, circle, whole, total, joke, decode.

I am going to try these 10 a day questions, to see if the approach works in the classroom. The questions are typical, but not standard. I hope to use them to uncover a few misconceptions. I thought I'd share with you and see what the feedback/reviews were like.

Use prime factors to find the square root of a number. This task is easily extended (decide if the square root of a number is an integer value, or not). The task develops a feeling for number and underpins an understanding of surds. Key words: integer, factor, prime factor, factorisation, square root, root, surd.

Match the number in words to the number in digits to decode the puzzle. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Each puzzle also supports literacy. Students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to read the punchline. (answers included). If you like this, search for: Place Value - decode the puzzles, from powers of 10, to standard form. Keywords: place value, multiply, units, tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, thousandths, hundredths, tenths, puzzle, joke, code, number system, practice, math joke, maths jokes, mathematics, unlock untangle understand.

A message, built up from fractions of mathematical words to create of four sentences. Each sentence explains the history of fractions as they are used today. The fraction given indicates how much of each word to use. Put the parts together to form a new word and decode information about the history of fractions. Each question supports literacy. Students have to merge groups of letters together to form recognisable words and sentences (answers included). Students can be surprised that fractions in their current form, originated in India (SSMC). Key words: fraction, fractions, fraction of an amount, history of fractions, ssmc, numerator, denominator, vocabulary, puzzle, decode, fraction words, fractions have not always been written as they are today.

Decide if each number is written in standard form or not. Answer yes or no to decode a joke. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the joke they decode! If you liked this activity search for Place Value - A pack of powers of 10 and standard form puzzles to decode. Key words: Standard form, place value, power, index, joke, decode, worksheet.

Solve simple problems involving proportion, find the value of the shaded sector by working out the relationship between the fraction given and the sector required. Find the unit fraction them multiply up to find the value of the whole and use that. (not for the faint-hearted ) Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! For more resources like this search for: Proportion - A pack - work out the value of the shaded sector to decode the joke. Key words: Sir Cumference, circumference, proportion, equivalent quantity, fraction, fraction of an amount, reasoning, multiply, divide, share, sector, circle, whole, total, joke, decode, maths joke.

Match the decimals given in words to the number given in digits. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Each puzzle also supports literacy. Students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to read the punchline. (answers included). If you like this, search for: Place Value - A pack of decimal and fraction puzzles. Keywords: place value, decimals, units, tenths, hundredths, thousandths, puzzle, joke, number system, subtract, practice, math, maths joke, mathematics, unlock untangle understand.

Six puzzles to support cross curricular numeracy in: Humanities, English, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science. Use the puzzles in different subject areas to identify a numeracy deficit connected to place value or issues of transference from mathematics to other subjects. Puzzles can be used as starters. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Each puzzle also supports literacy. Students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to answer the joke. If you find these resources useful there are more, search for: Place value - decimals (cross curricular numeracy_2 or _3). Keywords: cross curricular, numeracy resource, the decimal system, read decimal numbers, place value, units, tenths, hundredths, thousandths, decimal, elements, noble gas, helium, waves, hertz, renewable, gigabytes, numeracy, joke, jokes, rhetorical, dark ages, invasion, knight, joke, code, puzzle, international joke day, numeracy deficit, transferrance, diagnostic tool, worksheet. (undo, untangle, understand)

Three puzzles to support cross curricular numeracy in: French, Food Technology and Geography. Puzzles can be used as starters or use the puzzles in different subject areas to identify a numeracy deficit connected to place value or issues of transference from mathematics to other subjects. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Each puzzle also supports literacy. Students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to answer the joke. If you find these resources useful there are more, search for: Place value - decimals (cross curricular numeracy_1 or _2). Keywords: cross curricular numeracy, joke, decode, resource, the decimal system, read decimal numbers, place value, units, tenths, hundredths, thousandths, decimal, fromage, brie international joke day, tomato, salad dressing, earthquake, ground, worksheet, numeracy deficit, transference (unlock untangle understand).

Students decode a paragraph to find out about one of the simplest laws of Physics. The puzzle relies on an ability to multiply by 2, 5 and 10. It can be used to identify a numeracy deficit involving simple multiplication. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors (answers included). Can be used in Science or Mathematics. Keywords: Physics, Law of reflection, 2s, 5s, 10s, times table, message, decode, ray, light, reflect, angle, mirror, incidence, reflect worksheet, cross curricular numeracy, numeracy, deficit, math, maths, numeracy across learning (unlock untangle understand).

Find the value of the shaded sector by using the relationship given. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Key words: sector, fraction, fraction of an amount, pie chart, divide, share, circle, whole, total, joke, decode, maths joke.

Solve three problems involving flow rate and volume of a cuboid to work out the order in which they fill up. Check the units of measurement being used are all the same.