Maths Unit 4-7 yr olds (Maths in the Warehouse)
About This Unit
This unit is part of a larger resource, produced to support Numeracy for children aged 5-7 years. The aim of the resource was to bring maths to life using our one of our main warehouses (D82) as a context for learning. The resource also features a Big Book and other activities. For more information about the Maths Warehouse project see the links below.
Introduction
This section contains three maths-based activities appropriate for pupils aged 4-7 years. It is based on the logistics of getting toothpaste from the factory, via the distribution system to the shop. (A topic which you may wish to discuss with pupils, depending on their age and ability. The toothpaste doesn't appear in the shop by magic - any more than the pint of milk appears on your doorstep in the morning!).
Pupils can visit:
a) The factory - where they must develop their IT skills by selecting the correct objects as they appear on the conveyor belt.
b) The warehouse - where they must drive their forklift truck to the correct co-ordinates to pick up goods and load them into the delivery lorry.
c) The shop - but to get here they have to keep a log of the time their journey takes, allowing for lunch breaks, multiple drop-offs, etc.
The content and structure of the unit has been designed to complement the curriculum. This flexible approach enables teachers to direct pupils to key content relevant to their teaching approaches but also, introduce pupils to new topics and extending activities for both online and offline work.
Curriculum references
Scottish 5-14 Guidelines
Mathematics
Knowledge and understanding - Information Handling
Strand - Interpret
- Level A - from displays by locating and counting
Knowledge and understanding - Number, Money and Measurement
Strand - Range and type of numbers
- Level A - work with whole numbers 0-20
Strand - add and subtract
- Level A - in applications in number, measurement and money
Strand - Time
- Level A - place events in time sequences
Knowledge and understanding - Shape, Position and Movement
Strand - Position and movement
- Level A - discuss position and movement associated with position of an object
- Level B - use grid references to read or plot location on grid
Classroom Applications
Maths in the Warehouse
The Factory
The game is very simple and requires pupils to select a number of tubes of toothpaste from the products on the on-screen conveyor belt. It will help to develop hand-eye co-ordination and recognition skills.
Extension work
Make a note of a game session and record, say, 20 products as they pass by on the conveyor belt. What fraction/proportion of them were toothpaste?
Draw an appropriate graph or chart to show the results.
The Warehouse
Here, pupils learn to drive their fork lift truck using simple commands to make a 90 degree turn. More able pupils can play against the clock.
Extension work
The warehouse has been mapped using a basic alphanumeric grid system. Try it for the classroom, the school, or your home.
Try a version of the old game "Battleships". Plot an imaginary town with some shops and see who can visit the local pharmacy first.
The Shop
Acting as a driver, pupils have to make a series of deliveries - but they may need to stop for lunch as well. How long will their journey take?
Extension work
Not everything is counted in "tens". Time is measured in "sixties". Discuss as appropriate.
Older or more able pupils may be able to cope with the concept of distance travelled divided by time taken to come up with an average speed.
Useful web links
Register with Boots Learning Store
www.bootslearningstore.com/teacher/register.php
Contact Boots
Downloads
Pupil Section Exe Files
These are versions of the pupil material for this topic that you can download and use offline. Simply save the .exe file to your desktop and double-click it.
Maths in the Warehouse
PDF files
You may experience some problems downloading executable files (.exe files) and PDF files if your computer is part of a network (Local Area Network or LAN). Click here for help.