I’m Going to an Island: Maths Edition
It is a go-to maths warm-up that my students love. It’s quick, engaging, and builds strong reasoning while feeling like a game.
How It Works
Say, “I’m going to an island and I’ll bring a number with me.” Have students take turns suggesting numbers, then tell them they can come or not based on a secret rule you’ve chosen (for example, numbers divisible by 6). Keep the game going as students test ideas and try to work out the rule.
For Example:
Teacher: “I’m going to an island and I’ll bring 48 with me.”
Student 1: 45 → “Sorry, you can’t come.”
Student 2: 36 → “Yes, you can come!”
Student 3: 12 → “Yes, you can come!”
Students keep suggesting numbers and discussing why some can come and others can’t, until they work out the rule: “The number has to be divisible by 6.”
Why It's So Good
• Zero prep and highly flexible as you can choose any rule to match your year level or topic
• Encourages critical thinking, reasoning, and pattern recognition
• Sparks class discussion and collaborative problem-solving
• Engages all students because everyone wants to guess the next number
• Fun, lively, and energising, perfect for the first few minutes of class
Set sail with this quick, fun maths warm-up and watch your students test numbers, spot the rule, and work it out together. I’d love to hear what worked well and any changes you made to suit your students!
