Digit Dog has got a 3 x 3 grid and 9 Numicon shapes – 3 one shapes, 3 two shapes and 3 three shapes. He is going to put the shapes on the grid and investigate the totals he can make.
This is what he does first:
Copy what Digit Dog has done.
Digit Dog says that the sum of the shapes in the first row is 6. Do you agree with Digit Dog? Why or why not? Are you sure?
Expecting learners to explain their thinking helps develop their reasoning skills.
If you agree, convince me that Digit Dog is correct. If you don’t agree, explain why you think he is wrong.
Encourage learners to explain why the total of the first row is 6. Use the Numicon shapes to show that the 3 shapes in the first row are equivalent to a six-shape. Explanations are much easier when you use concrete apparatus.
Use the pan balance to explain.
Calculating Cat says that the total of the shapes in the third column is 6 too. Is she right? How do you know?
What is the same and what is different about Digit Dog’s row and Calculating Cat’s column?
Can you find any other rows or columns that total 6? Are there any that total more than 6? What about less than 6?
Can you find a row or column that totals 1 more than 6? What about 1 less than 6?
What else do you notice?
Find a way to record the totals you have found?
Now arrange the shapes on the grid in any way you want and investigate the totals that you make. What do you notice? What is the largest total you can make? The smallest total?
Look at a grid your friend has done. What is the same? What is different?
What if you used other shapes?
Digit Dog Challenges 
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