Magic Crosses

Just click on the page at the bottom to print the activity

Objectives

To complete magic crosses using a given set of numbers.
To develop reasoning skills based on numbers bonds.

Levels

Magic Crosses 1 Year 2/3
Magic Crosses 2 Year 3
Magic Crosses 3 Year 4

Resources

One 0-9 set of small number cards

Print Number Cards            Print a Recording Sheet

Description

Magic Crosses is a collection of three related activities designed to encourage reasoning about number, in the context of addition number bonds. The cards must be placed in the grey boxes so the cross has the same total across and down. The Magic Squares activity extends this idea to a 3 by 3 square with 9 number cards.

Related Work

Magic Squares offers extension work aimed at more able Year 4 children or Years 5 and 6.

Here is an example magic cross with the set 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The results are not recorded on the worksheet, but are easy to set out on squared paper.

Magic Crosses 1, 2 and 3 are aimed at Years 2/3, 3 and 4 respectively. You may like to use Magic Squares as an extension for more able Year 4 children or as a main activity for Years 5 or 6.