Contributor:
Ginny Dorrington
This activity is ideal for mental maths sessions, as it requires quick mental calculations from the children. A set of number chains are free for you to use, although you might also want to make your own sets which are suitable for the ability of the children in your class.
Before you begin, you will need to print and cut out the number chain cards, which can be found (in PDF format) below.
When the cards are cut out, jumble up the cards and share them with the children in the class (some children might have more than one card).
The child with the first card (labelled START) reads out what is on their card (i.e. “START…. You are 10 times 5”).
The children in the class should then work out the answer to this sum (i.e. 10 x 5 = 50). The child who is holding the card with “I am 50” should then read out what is on their card (i.e. “I am 50… You are 10 times 18”). Again the children should work out the answer and read out what is on their card if they have the card with “I am 180” on.
This activity continues until the children reach the card telling them to STOP.
