Why do this problem?

This open-ended activity may well appeal to those children who find number work difficult. It will allow all children to work at their own level and encourage creativity, and this can be a good assessment opportunity for you. Squared paper will be useful.

Key questions

Are you sure your patterns are different?

What shapes will you need at the edges of the floor?

Have you chosen a particular size floor?

Possible extension

Children could focus on repeating patterns and attempt to find all possible ones for a stated floor size.

Possible support

Learners will find the problem more manageable if a certain size of floor is suggested. They could use dominoes to represent the tiles.