In the 5/6 classroom, our students have been learning about Multiplicative Thinking. Here is some student work to demonstrate the different things they have been learning:

With the upcoming winter holidays here are some ways to weave maths into your everyday (even if you’re stuck inside!). There are so many ways to make connections to the maths your child will be learning at school, here are some examples:

In the Kitchen

• Estimate then count the number of cups needed to fill a large pot

• Use a timer when preparing food or monitoring cooking times

• How long does it take to make the perfect cup of tea?

• Give directions to help your child set the table or plate food

• Investigate the different shapes of objects and food items in the house

• Can you find any items that do not belong? Can you describe why they are different?

• Order containers from smallest to tallest or lightest to heaviest

• Think about the different shapes we can make when we cut vegetables. How do these shapes and sizes affect cooking times?

• Can you measure half a cup using a ⅓ of a cup measure?

In the Bathroom

• Use the bath or large tub to investigate whether objects sink or float

• Make a boat using paper and time how long it stays afloat

• What if you add weights (or blocks)? Does it still float?

• Fill containers with water to find out which one has the largest capacity

• Compare the height or weight of containers

• Order the containers according to their size

• What if I give you one more container? Where would you place it? Why?

Other Rooms

• Hide an object and give someone else directions to locate it

• Use a measuring tape to predict then measure the size of different objects or distances

• Sort a collection of objects according to their colour, shape or size

• Use materials to build the tallest tower or the strongest bridge

• Count the number of stairs or the number of steps it takes to get to different rooms

• Create a map of your house or draw a map of your dream house

• Find all the shoes in the house – sort them according to size or colour

• Use materials in the house to create your own Rube Goldberg Machine – check out some suggestions on the Digital Trends website: https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/best-rube-goldberg-machines/

Carlton Gardens Primary School

Curiosity, Inclusivity, Resilience, Respect

Issue 9 · 02 Jul 2025

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