Add and Subtract with xylophone - Practical Maths Activity

This engaging Practical Maths Activity is designed to blend the joy of music with the fundamental maths skills of addition and subtraction. Aimed at Year 2 pupils, the activity supports the National Curriculum objective of recalling and using addition and subtraction facts to 20 fluently. To prepare, all you need is a toy xylophone and a permanent marker. The simplicity of the equipment required makes it an accessible and effective learning tool.

The activity begins by modifying the xylophone to feature just two keys. These keys are then labelled '5' and '10' using the permanent marker. Children are tasked with composing their own musical pieces, with the condition that the numerical sum of the notes played must total exactly 100. This creative approach not only reinforces mathematical concepts but also encourages musical exploration and creativity. To vary the difficulty, additional keys can be introduced, or the values on the keys can be altered. Introducing keys with negative values, such as '2', adds a layer of challenge as children must now incorporate subtraction into their compositions, further enhancing their arithmetic skills in a playful and interactive manner.