Start of term, new class, new pupils. An idea for an activity to get them talking about the maths they already know and an opportunity to produce some display work.

Give everyone a piece of A3 paper, fresh from the photcopier. Fold it to A4, then A5 and finally A6. Then unfold it, so there are 16 spaces, 8 on each side.

Write the numbers 1 to 16 in the spaces, then for each number, add as many calculations, words, or diagrams that are associated with that number. For example, for the number 9 you could have 5 + 4, 3 x 3, 9 dots in a square pattern, multiples of 9: 18, 27, 36, … , a nonagon etc.

Once everyone has written their ideas down, share ideas in pairs and then in fours. Give everyone a piece of A4 and everyone chooses a number. They draw the number in the middle of the page then add their ideas for that number. Take a survey to see which numbers haven’t been chosen, and anyone who finishes can do one of those numbers. Use the numbers to make a classroom display.