51ºÚÁÏ

This resource is principally about number patterns found in the game of Noughts and Crosses, also known as Tic-tac-toe. Pupils are encouraged to find such patterns in a variety of different arrays, to record their results on a table, make written statements and generalise their results algebraically. They do this by investigating the number of winning lines on different size and type arrays both 2-D and 3-D.

Originally, this resource was written for a class of youngsters in KS3, although there is no reason for it not to be used with older pupils. I would suggest that pupils work in pairs and that they be allowed to discuss findings in a way that shows engagement and focus. Also make it clear that some pairs, yet to be decided, will have the opportunity to discuss their work on the whiteboard in front of their peer group towards the end of the session. In terms of assessment it might be useful for pupils to be given the opportunity to write up their work in the following lesson.