Xmaths Cards!
This fun Christmas Card is a great way to get creative, while doing some Maths!
First of all, you need squares of varying sizes. This example increases in size by 1.5cm, so the smallest square is 1.5cm squared, then 3cm, then 4.5cm etc. When I've made these cards in schools, sometimes the pupils have measured and cut their squares, which is a great lesson in careful measuring and right angles. With younger children I have also used wrapping paper with a square grid on the back, and then children have cut out the squares. Sometimes, we have linked this to arrays & square numbers too.
The more squares you use, the bigger the tree!
Once the squares are cut, you do a tea bag fold for each section - see the diagram below.
I like to add a stem - a rectangle will do, and sometimes I add a trapezium for a pot & a little more Maths.
Add sequins to the edges and a star on the top.
The card can also be used to play a version of a great Maths Game - Nim. See more information here -
https://nrich.maths.org/1204 - the version on NRich is called Nim-7 and uses only 7 counters - the version you would play with this card would be Nim -11, but the mathematical thinking is still the same.
Basically pop a little bag with sequins & a star in the card - the example I created needs 10 sequins & 1 star. The game needs 2 players - each player can only place down 1 or 2 sequins, on top of the ones on the card. The winner is the person who places the final item - the star on the tree.
In class I would draw the tree on the board and children would come out and draw on the baubles. It's great to get them thinking about the strategy they need to use to win.
Any paper can be used - but for the example I made I used this paper -
Have fun! I'd love to your creations... if you just want to make a couple, and dont want a whole pack of paper or cards and sequins, let me know and I'll pop you a little kit together. :-)
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