Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools
Rich Tasks
Area: Woodland
Learning Objective: To find multiplication patterns using
leaves.
NC Year Group:
Years 3/4/5/6
Generic activity covering all
multiplication tables that
can be differentiated for
your pupils.
Area of Learning: Mathematics/Numeracy
Mathematics Programme of Study
Developing Numerical Reasoning
Identify processes and connections
 Transfer mathematical skills to a variety of contexts and everyday situations
 Identify the appropriate steps and information needed to complete a task or reach a
solution
 Select appropriate mathematics and techniques to use
 Choose an appropriate mental or written strategy
Represent and communicate
 Explain results and procedures clearly using mathematical language
 Refine informal methods of recording written calculations, moving to formal
methods of calculations when developmentally ready
Review
 Interpret answers within the context of the problem and consider whether answers
are sensible
Using number skills
Use number facts and relationships
 Recall 2, 3, 5 and 10 multiplication tables and use to solve simple multiplication and
division problems (Y3)
 Use a range of mental strategies to recall multiplication tables for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10
and use to solve division problems (Y4)
 Use a range of mental strategies to recall multiplication tables for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and
10 and use to solve division problems (Y5)
 Use a range of mental strategies to recall multiplication tables up to 10 x 10 and use
to solve division problems (Y6)
Estimate and check
 Check answers by using inverse operations
Heading/Child Friendly
Find a variety of leaves in the woodland to help us make some multiplication patterns.
Success Criteria
 Identify the variety of leaves available in the woodland, and decide which leaves we
are to collect (fallen leaves on the ground).
 Sort leaves into similar groups.


Draw a table to show the type of leaf (sketch or name) and the number of lobes.
Identify ways of counting in 2s, 3s, 5s etc depending on the leaves and lay out leaves
to show the times table according to the number of lobes.
 Use leaf arrangement to chant the times tables.
 To create and solve problems linked to multiplication and division
What to do:
Set children off in the area to collect as many different examples of leaves as possible in a
time set. Compare the leaves and sort them into order depending on number of leaflets
(parts) they have, e.g. Horse Chestnut has 5.
Compound leaves work best. These are ones like a horse chestnut leaf. So 1 leaf has 5
leaflets, 2 leaves have 10 leaflets, 3 leaves have 15 leaflets, etc.
When the children find examples of leaves with three leaflets, challenge them to create a
fact family using the leaves, e.g. 4 x 3 = 12, 3 x 4 = 12, 12 ÷ 4 = 3, 12 ÷3 = 4 on laminated
sheets.
Ash leaves are more variable. However, it is possible to collect leaves with 9 leaflets, e.g.
3×9=27.
Scot’s pine needles always grow in pairs (pine = pairs). 2×10 needles = 20.
Get children to create questions such as ‘I have a Horse Chestnut tree, there are 9 branches,
each branch has 7 leaves. How many leaflets altogether?’
MAT Activity
For the very able mathematicians in your class, perhaps they would like to create
multiplication sums for bracken fronds…
Can your class find compound leaves to represent all the multiplication tables from 2 to 10?
Can they each create a sum, then have a competition to see who can solve all the sums the
quickest?
Possible extension activities:
Compare areas of leaves
Symmetry of leaves
Measure leaves using different standard measures and convert measures
Resources:
Woodland area
Leaves
iPad for taking photos
Laminated sheets
Whiteboard pens
Curriculum links:
Maths
Science
Literacy