For my lower Stage 2 children I try to keep maths as hands-on as I can. Concrete materials help them 'see' the concepts in action and they always engage well with tasks such as these.
A deck of cards and bingo to test multiplication facts.
Jigsaw puzzles based on a hundreds chart. This is great for working out the decimals as they can use their knowledge of whole numbers on the hundreds chart to help work out the problem.
Using base ten to introduce the addition of decimals before a formal algorithm is applied.
Function machines for fun and as an introduction to algebra (not that they know that).
Fractions. Different orientations and options explored through cutting up paper. Some of the children did not think they were still quarters if some of the pieces were cut out differently as seen in the orange example so this proved to be very valuable (and still fun).
Fraction games...
...more fraction games...
...and more hands-on fun.
Some of these children have gone from actively disliking maths to asking if I would come in on my days off to make up missed lessons. It is a good feeling to see them starting to enjoy mathematics.
