For all the rich maths tasks and probing questions in this series, and for the pedagogy behind the concept, please visit the Probing Maths Questions Index page.

At the start of the month, I launched my new idea of getting teachers to create rich, interesting, deep, probing questions for students to enjoy. As I explained, I think these are just about the best way of differentiating effectively in the classroom that I have ever come across. Students can be working at so many different levels, pursuing all sorts of lines of inquiry, whilst all still being on the same task. It makes lessons as pleasure to teach.

The first activity I selected for us to think about probing questions for, was the all time NRICH classic, “The Factors and Multiples Game“. To read the post explaining the game, and to access the accompanying resources for it, just click here.

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed with suggestions for questions. There were some absolutely fantastic ideas, and my Year 7 have enjoyed getting to grips with them in these last couple of weeks. Playing the game without using prime numbers is a classic twist that I had never thought of, as is trying to cross as many of the numbers in the 91 – 100 row whilst working in a team.

A special thanks goes to the members of my very own maths department at Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton. We played the game in pairs during one departmental meeting and then each pair had to think of two probing questions to ask their students. I can whole heartily recommend this process to any maths department – it is a fun, engaging way to focus on the aspects of teaching and learning that really matter.

Anyway, as promised, the complete set of probing questions for the Factors and Multiples Game can be accessed below

Factors and Multiples – probing questions

And on October 1st, I will launch the second Probing Questions activity, so stay tuned 🙂