Activity 1- Doubles
Explain that doubling something is when you have 2
of the same amount. Ask your child to make double 5,
then demonstrate putting 2 5 Numicon plates next to
each other. How many do you have now? So double
5=10.
Repeat for all the numbers. Can they make all the
numbers up to 20? Do they notice a pattern?
Encourage the use of the language:
Add, addition, double, half, total, equals, odd and
even.
CHALLENGE
Can your child make doubles with only the odd
numbers? What do they notice? Can they make
doubles with only even numbers? What do they
notice?
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Extension: make cards to show 1 amount, then the
double on the back.
Activity 2- cover the board
Ask your child to look closely at the Numicon plates.
Do they notice that some have a bit sticking out and
some are flat? Can they cover the board with
Numicon plates that have sticky out bits only? Can
they cover the board with Numicon plates that have
no sticky out bits only? Wtalk about what they notice.
Can they see any patterns? Which is easier?
Encourage the language:
Odd, even, pattern, add, together, fit.
CHALLENGE
Can the children talk about what they are doing? Do
they notice that when they put 2 Numicon plates with
2 sticky out bits, they fit together? (2 odds make an
even number)
Activity 3- Sticking out and flat.
Each choose a Numicon plate. Can you talk about
what it looks like? Does it have sticky out bits? Using
the 2 Numicon plate explain that when all the holes
can be given ‘partners’ that means it is an even
number. But when there is one left over it is an odd
number. Explore the different shapes and sort the
odd and even numbers into the hoops. Label each
hoop ‘odd’ or ‘even’
Encourage the language:
Odd, even, pairs, partners, sort, pattern.
CHALLENGE
Make a number line of all the numicon shapes. Do
they notice a pattern of the odd and even
Extension: can they write the numerals for the odd
and even numbers? Can they think of a rule for odd
and even numbers. ‘odd numbers always end in…’
‘even numbers always end in…’