Speed Circle

Children are placed in teams and each has a whiteboard or paper.

I ask children for a calculation to match the number of children in each team. So, if there are five people in a team, they create five calculations, e.g.

1. +10
2. -50
3. x 4
4. divide by 6
5. halve it

I try to get them to give a variety of operations and to include any we are particularly covering.

I then give them a starting number and each member has to apply their rule in turn round the circle until they are finished at which point the last person stands up. They gain a point if they are first finished and accurate.

This has helped tremendously in understanding that you may be quick but you have to be right. (You have to discount remainders!)

It is also great for cooperative learning as children can help each other.