Make 37
One way to start is to ask pupils to make 16 using any 4 of the
numbers. They will quickly find a variety of answers. Declare this
is too easy and set them on the task of making 37 using 10 of the
numbers. Make sure they have paper for working on. Then give the
pupils time to "play", trying out different numbers for themselves.
It would be a good idea to encourage them to check their results
with a neighbour! Refrain from asking if it is possible; wait till
a pupil suggests it can't be done. To which the response could be:
"Why can't it be done?" It might be appropriate to ask pupils what
numbers they HAVE been able to make and what they notice about
these totals. Turning pupils' attention to the properties of the
numbers that are possible will encourage them to suggest
conclusions. Have they noticed that all the totals are even? This
may alert them to the fact that making 37 is much harder than they
thought or does not seem to be possible. You could invite them to
share their thoughts using the following prompts: * Can you make 37
with a different number of numbers? How many? * Can you explain
why? Drawing diagrams of odd and even numbers may help pupils to
visualise the mathematics. A follow-up question along the lines of
"How could you change the problem so that we can make 37 from ten
numbers?" provides a useful opportunity to gauge how fully the
children have understood the ideas. This problem could be used as a
starter before tackling the more challenging Take Three from Five