Calcunos
This particular activity has had surprising outcomes that are often
not anticipated, so be brave and be ready for almost anything.
Taking the example of 4152 I have found that some children start to
explore, often for the first time making arrangements like:-
1245,1254,1425,1452,1524,1542, etc . On other occasions a lot has
been done, talked about and reflected upon when considering the
size of the numbers obtained. This has often been started when
children are looking for the largest number. When considering the
smallest number decisions hace to be made about whether a decimal
point is allowed. It also makes a difference if you ask them to use
a calculator alongside the work for when a decimal point is used
you have to have a zero in the units column. From a practical point
of view I've found that lower ability years 3/4 can do quite a lot
if given some practical help, like using quarters of straws to
represent the light bars. Squared paper should be made available as
some pupils find that it can be very helpful.