So Many Toys
Class 1 · Mathematics
3 ideas in Class 1 Mathematics, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
More, Less or Equal
Part of: Counts and puzzles
Comparing counts uses three words: 6 dolls are more than 4 cars, 3 bears are less than 7 elephants, and 5 and 5 are equal. Flowers voted most and least work the same way.
Why it matters. More, less and equal turn counting into decisions. Children use them to compare anything countable.
Try it in two minutes
- Count spoons and forks on the table.
- Ask: are the spoons more, less or equal?
- Repeat with two other pairs of things.
Try at home. Compare red and blue clothes in the cupboard with more, less or equal.
Number Riddles
Part of: Counts and puzzles
A riddle hides a number behind clues: 3 more than 8 is 11, just before 40 is 39, and after 50 with digits adding to 7 is 52.
Why it matters. Riddles make children run numbers forwards and backwards. Each clue checks a different skill.
Try it in two minutes
- Say: I am 3 more than 8. Ask: who am I?
- Say: I am just before 40. Ask again.
- Let your child frame one riddle for you.
Try at home. Ask: I am just after 35, who am I? Then swap roles.
Puzzle Totals
Part of: Counts and puzzles
Puzzle totals ask for numbers that hit a target: seeds on 9, 8 and 0 total 17, and balls 3, 5 and 7 total 15. Shape puzzles hide values the same way.
Why it matters. Target totals train flexible adding. Children try combos instead of counting blindly.
Try it in two minutes
- Write 17 and ask which three small numbers reach it.
- Test 9, 8 and 0 together.
- Try balls 3, 5 and 7 for a target of 15.
Try at home. Ask which two numbers from 4, 9, 8 and 7 add to 17.
What your child will practise
- More, Less or Equal: Jungle Quest (Match It Up)
- More, Less or Equal: Ocean Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Number Riddles: Ocean Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Puzzle Totals: Candy Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Puzzle Totals: Jungle Quest (Flip and Match)
- Quiz: More, Less or Equal (8 questions)
- Quiz: Number Riddles (8 questions)
- Quiz: Puzzle Totals (8 questions)