‘Mysteries’ are popular and effective maths activities to use with your class, with children working collaboratively to solve a maths problem from information and clues presented on individual cards.
Reasoning and problem solving are two of the three main aims of the new maths NC (the third being fluency).
There are plenty of reasoning and thinking skills activities out there, but mysteries are amongst my favourites. They are not too difficult to make up yourself, but if you want ready-made packs of them I have written some for each year group.
There are plenty of reasoning and thinking skills activities out there, but mysteries are amongst my favourites. They are not too difficult to make up yourself, but if you want ready-made packs of them I have written some for each year group.
A message I give when working with teachers is that children need time to explore, think and persist at a problem and reflect on their learning. For this to happen they must be motivated to overcome challenges and develop as creative problem-solvers.
Children need opportunities to solve problems, to get stuck and not to feel threatened or undermined if they make mistakes.
Mystery World Packs
Mystery Worlds are sets of ready-made clue cards and colourful, well-designed contextual backdrop scenes for children to immerse themselves in. They are designed to encourage group problem-solving and mathematical thinking.
There is a set for year Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 with 12 main mysteries - enough for two every half term.
Each set has three backdrop scenes and four sets of mystery cards for each backdrop, each with six clue cards. In addition there are is also a bank of problems and investigations, all linked to the overall theme along with a full teachers guide.
These are some of the resources I have written alongside the Table Top Maths Games and Football Maths Games.
More information and order form for Mystery Worlds.
Try this pirate mystery, it's taken from the Mystery Worlds packs but I've reproduced it as a photocopiable sheet that you can download and print.
I’ve used it with Y3/4 classes but it would be suitable for any KS2 class and think about the models, images and strategies that the children may use to solve it.
I would recommend that you give it a try yourself, with a group of other teachers or your family at home. It will help you appreciate the journey your pupils might take - always a valuable perspective to have.
I’ve used it with Y3/4 classes but it would be suitable for any KS2 class and think about the models, images and strategies that the children may use to solve it.
I would recommend that you give it a try yourself, with a group of other teachers or your family at home. It will help you appreciate the journey your pupils might take - always a valuable perspective to have.