It is likely that you will shop in a supermarket, but will you spot the cheapest deals? ‘Best buy’ questions have been a staple on exam papers for years. Compare offers using equivalent quantities or unit cost to identify the best deal. 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 (answers included). The symbols on the tins are Mongolian numerals. Key words: best buy, value for money, proportion, equivalent quantities, estimte, unit cost, comparison, compare, ratio, joke, shopping, supermarket.

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, practice, math, maths joke, mathematics, unlock untangle understand.

Six puzzles plus a paragraph to decode, supported by a poster and a structured worksheet (pick and mix). Builds up to standard form. 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). Keywords: place value, multiply, units, tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, thousandths, hundredths, tenths, puzzle, joke, code, standard form, standard index form, standard form, power, of 10, number system, origins, poster, worksheet, practice, math, maths, mathematics, unlock untangle understand.

Expressions with the same base, can be manipulated using the Law of Indices. Decode the puzzle to practice the laws of indices when raising a power to another power, includes multiplying and dividing indices. If you like this resource, search for Index Laws 1, 2 and 4. Key words: index, indices, notation, expression, index laws, base, bases, power, powers, raining a power to a power, multiply, divide, puzzle, joke, decode, worksheet, practice, math, maths joke, mathematics, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Expressions with the same base, can be manipulated using the Law of Indices. Change each expression into base of 3 or 5 before applying the laws of indices and decode the puzzle. I f you like this resource search for Index Laws 1 , 2 and 3. Key words: index, indices, notation, expression, index laws, base, bases, power, powers, raining a power to a power, multiply, divide, puzzle, joke, decode, worksheet, practice, math, maths joke, mathematics, (unlock, untangle, understand). Updated 28_09_16

A match up task intended as a refresher activity, to remind students about the key words used in mathematics and their definition or meaning. Students self assess their knowledge of a given word by shading a response box. An ideal starter or extension task to promote mathematical vocabulary that should be known at KS2, but may remain unfamiliar to students in subsequent key stages. Supports learning and retaining spellings of key mathematical words. Works well alongside http://www.numeracyninjas.org/ Key words: vocabulary, mathematical vocabulary, match, definition, self assess, ten a day.

Six puzzles to support cross curricular numeracy in: French, Technology, Chemistry and Economics. Puzzles can be used as starters. 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_3). Keywords: cross curricular numeracy, resource, the decimal system, read decimal numbers, place value, units, tenths, hundredths, thousandths, decimal, un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, international joke day, degrees, potassium, oxygen, humus, tzatziki, dips, chocolate, balanced diet, bridge, La Seine, worksheet, numeracy deficit, transference (unlock untangle understand).

Identify equivalent fractions. Shade squares to reveal the answer to the joke, Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Key words: Equivalent, fraction, match, shade, fractions, multiples, multiple, equivalent fraction, joke, decode, worksheet, joke, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Nine puzzles for students to decode (pick and mix). 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. (answers included). Six other puzzles, which are simpler, can be found at - Place value - decimals (cross curricular numeracy). If students need support, project or print off the place value poster. Harder puzzles can be found under - Place value - powers of 10. Keywords: the decimal system, read decimal numbers, place value, units, tenths, hundredths, thousandths, decimal, fraction. mixed number, puzzle, joke, code, number system, reading scale, joke, worksheet, math, maths, mathematics, unlock untangle understand.

8 Menseki Meiro, or Area Maze problems. Key words: Menseki Meiro, area maze, area, rectangle, area of a rectangle, length, multiply, divide, width, compound shapes, Japanese puzzle, puzzle, multi step problems, logical thinking.

It’s called Menseki Meiro, or Area Maze. The only maths you need to know is that the area of a rectangle is the length multiplied by the width. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Use the information and some logical thinking to work out the punchline to the joke (answer included). Key words: Menseki Meiro, area maze, area, rectangle, area of a rectangle, length, multiply, divide, width, compound area, Japanese puzzle, math problem, puzzle, logical thinking. Why did the rectangle go to the gym? untangle, unlock, understand.

Expressions with the same base can be manipulated using the Law of Indices. Decode the puzzle to practice using the laws of indices. If you like this resource search for Index laws 1, 3 and 4. Key words: index, indices, notation, expression, index laws, base, bases, power, powers, multiply, divide, puzzle, joke, decode, worksheet, practice, math joke, maths joke, mathematics, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Manipulate expressions using the Laws of Indices. Decode each puzzle to work out the punchline to a joke. (with answers) Key words: index, indices, notation, expression, index laws, laws of indices, base, bases, power, powers, raising a power to a power, divide, multiply, puzzle, joke, decode, worksheet, practice, math, maths, mathematics, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Mathematical Vocabulary Booklet (ten_a_day) A set of 12 matching activities in a booklet, intended as a refresher activity, to remind students about the key words used in mathematics and their definition or meaning. Students self assess their knowledge of a given word by shading a response box. An ideal starter or extension task to promote mathematical vocabulary that should be known at KS2, but may remain unfamiliar to students in subsequent key stages. Supports learning and retaining spellings of key mathematical words. Works well alongside http://www.numeracyninjas.org/ (Answers available on the TES site, search for mathematical vocabulary ten_a_day.) Key words: vocabulary, mathematical vocabulary, match, definition, self assess, mathematical, mathematics, key words.

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).

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.

Four mobile balancing problems to support algebraic reasoning. The thinking used in these puzzles is the same as the logic used behind solving equations. Explore equivalence where the LHS = RHS (Answers included). Key words: equivalence, mobile problems, balance, pan balance, relationship, solve, balance problem, unknown, joke, logical thinking, multi-step problems, algebraic reasoning, puzzle, decode, worksheet, math, maths, mathematics, (unlock, untangle, understand).

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, 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.

Expressions with the same base can be manipulated using the Law of Indices. Decode the puzzle to practice using the laws of indices. Print two per page in landscape. If you like this resources search for Index laws 2, 3 and 4. Key words: index, indices, notation, expression, index laws, base, bases, power, powers, multiply, puzzle, joke, decode, worksheet, practice, math, maths, mathematics, (unlock, untangle, understand).

A match up task intended as a refresher activity, to remind students about the key words used in mathematics and their definition or meaning. Students self assess their knowledge of a given word by shading a response box. An ideal starter or extension task to promote mathematical vocabulary that should be known at KS2, but may remain unfamiliar to students in subsequent key stages. Supports learning and retaining spellings of key mathematical words. Works well alongside http://www.numeracyninjas.org/ If you want more activities like this search for Mathematical Vocabulary ten a day. Key words: vocabulary, mathematical vocabulary, match, definition, self assess, ten a day.