Mental Maths Challenges

Subject: Special Educational Needs
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 11 - 14
Order Number: 10075

This book contains a series of ninety interesting, yet demanding, graduated mental arithmetic challenges provided in a wide variety of contexts, for easy use in the classroom. The challenges provide progress in parallel to the levels of the National Curriculum, concentrating on levels 2 through to 6. The challenges include questions in each test on Number & Algebra and Shape, Space & Measure and Handling Data.

Each test is different and makes use of a wide variety of mathematical vocabulary, especially concerning that associated with the basic four number rules. Each challenge consists of ten questions, and answers are provided at the back. The challenges are also open to being adapted or repeated if pupils make limited progression after one attempt. There is also a page of hints and shortcuts that may help pupils and teachers in their thinking and working, as well as blank challenge grids to be photocopied and used by the pupils.

These challenges are designed to take between ten and fifteen minutes. They can be used as lesson starters, as a break from other topics, or to conclude a lesson. All of the challenges have been tried and tested in the classroom. Discussion of methodology and answers are encouraged. They are suitable for all from SEN pupils through to brighter lower school pupils.