The children can create and solve some number problems related to areas in the school grounds to develop fluency in calculations. The class can develop their understanding of geometry by investigating shapes found in the school grounds and exploring co-ordinates and reflection.The children can practise measuring different lengths, masses and capacities in the outdoors and show how they can be converted between different units. Working in statistics, the children can collect information about plants and animals in the gardens to organise and present using tables, charts and graphs.

Number Calculations
The children can demonstrate their understanding of number calculations by solving a range of problems related to the school grounds. They can create some of their own number problems for other children in the class to solve. For example, the children can estimate the number of leaves on a tree by counting leaves on one branch and then multiplying to estimate the total number for a tree. Similarly, the class can count numbers of flowers and weeds in pots around the school and use addition and calculation skills to calculate numbers of flowers left or added after a gardening activity. The children can show their understanding of fractions by collecting natural materials such as pebbles and twigs and modelling how the materials can be divided to illustrate a range of different fractions such as dividing the materials into unit and non-unit fractions which can then be compared or added and subtracted together.

The playground can also be used to get the children to explore how to complete all number calculations by drawing huge calculations in chalk on the ground. The children can then use cones or other PE equipment to model how to solve a number problem by moving the concrete objects around the calculation to illustrate how to exchange between place value. Younger children could draw a chalk abacus on the playground and use beanbags to show changes to the place value of numbers when adding and subtracting.

Geometry
The children can use the outdoor space to strengthen their understanding of geometric shapes. They can search for examples of 2D and 3D shapes around the school grounds which can then be described and compared by their properties. The children can make models of shapes to display next to the matching objects that they have identified in the school grounds. The class can also investigate different angles that can be found outside such as the angles found between branches on a tree. Older children can practise measuring the identified angles using a protractor. The school grounds can also help the children develop skills working with position and direction.

The children can investigate how to make different turns using half and quarter turns and the eight points of the compass. They can select vocabulary to describe the position of different objects in the school grounds. You can make a grid on the school playground using chalk or masking tape which the children can then use when exploring how to record position using co-ordinates. The children can show what happens when shapes placed on the grid are reflected and translated in the first quadrant.

Measurement
The children can utilise the outdoor space in the school to develop skills when working with measurements in length, mass and capacity. The class can practise measuring lengths of objects around the school grounds using a range of equipment such as metre rules, measuring tapes and trundle wheels so that they can record lengths in a range of units including millimetres, centimetres and metres. The children can demonstrate their understanding of how to convert lengths that they have recorded between different units. Working in mass, the children can collect and measure the weight of different natural objects in the school grounds using a set of balances or scales. They can compare sets of objects by converting their measurements to the same units using grams and kilograms. The class can also estimate and measure the capacity of different pots around the school grounds. The children can practise skills in measuring capacities accurately using a range of specialist equipment before showing how to convert the measured capacities between litres and millilitres.

Statistics
The outdoor space provides an excellent opportunity for the children to develop and refine their statistics skills. The class can collect information using tally and frequency charts about the numbers of different insects and plants found in the school grounds. The children can devise their own charts to use when recording data. The collected information can then be compared using Carroll and Venn diagrams. The children can also demonstrate how to present and organise the collected information using graphs to answer statistical questions such as the variety of animal classes in the school garden or the range of flowers around the school pond.

Older children can collect and present data using line graphs to compare a pair of variables in the outdoor space such as the number of birds on the playground at different times during the school day or the temperature of the school pond over a number of hours. Some children can use pie charts to show the percentage or fraction of different flowers in one area of the school grounds.