This week's CrossNumber puzzle focuses on the book that started it all: The Philosopher's Stone. I hope that the questions inspire you to revisit Diagon Alley, rediscover the inspired platform 9 3/4 or try to solve the mysteries of the 'first floor girls' toilets'.

I'm always excited to receive solutions and questions, so please feel free to email me at toby@torchlight-tuition.co.uk - good luck!

How it works

The aim of a CrossWord puzzle is to fill in all of the white squares in the grid using the clues, separated into two sections: 'Across' and 'Down'. Each numbered clue corresponds to a matching number written in the top left corner of some of the CrossNumber squares. These numbered squares are the starting points to your answers. Watch out as some numbered clues have solutions that run both 'down' and 'across'. There can only ever be one digit per square and no answer ever starts with the digit zero (0). Finally, you can't leave any white squares unfilled so, if your answer has three boxes, the solution must be a three digit number.

There we are, I've made this sound much more complicated than it really is. If you've never tried one before, give it a go. I promise it's really quite easy to get the hang of, and very rewarding when you do!

If there are any teachers or parents who'd like to print this and/or use as a PDF, you can find a copy here: https://torchlight-tuition.co.uk/resources/CrossNumber-7---HP1---A4-Worksheet.pdf

Solutions

I have included the solutions at the foot of this entry, upside down so you might not have it spoiled if you glance 'by accident' (don't worry, I won't tell anyone)!

I love facts about the moon:

Did you know that the moon smells like spent gunpowder and no one really knows why : https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2006/30jan_smellofmoondust,

films about the moon:

'Moon' by Duncan Jones - @manmademoon - is a wonderous blend of science fiction claustrophobia and dark humour. Yes, he IS David Bowie's son - but please now erase that from your mind and enjoy him as an artist and filmmaker in his own right : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_Jones

books about the moon:

I would particularly recommend 'Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth' by Andrew Smith - @wiresmith - about the surviving moonwalkers,

and any music that takes me out of this world:

check out 'Planetarium' by Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly and James McAllister : https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/planetarium/1214400194?ign-gact=3&ls=1.

This week's challenge should be a suitable challenge for students in Years 5 and 6 and I will personally be giving it as homework for my 11+ students.

I'm always excited to receive solutions and questions, so please feel free to email me at toby@torchlight-tuition.co.uk - good luck!

How it works

The aim of a CrossWord puzzle is to fill in all of the white squares in the grid using the clues, separated into two sections: 'Across' and 'Down'. Each numbered clue corresponds to a matching number written in the top left corner of some of the CrossNumber squares. These numbered squares are the starting points to your answers. Watch out as some numbered clues have solutions that run both 'down' and 'across'. There can only ever be one digit per square and no answer ever starts with the digit zero (0). Finally, you can't leave any white squares unfilled so, if your answer has three boxes, the solution must be a three digit number.

There we are, I've made this sound much more complicated than it really is. If you've never tried one before, give it a go. I promise it's really quite easy to get the hang of, and very rewarding when you do!

If there are any teachers or parents who'd like to print this and/or use as a PDF, you can find a copy here: https://torchlight-tuition.co.uk/resources/CrossNumber-6---Moon---A4-Worksheet.pdf

Solutions

I have included the solutions at the foot of this entry, upside down so you might not have it spoiled if you glance 'by accident' (don't worry, I won't tell anyone)!

If you're stuck for anything to do over the long bank holiday weekend, maybe a few maths questions over a cup of tea and a lie down will be just the thing you need!

This week's challenge should be a suitable challenge for students aged 9 and up, though younger kids will certainly need help with speed / distance and time, (4 Down) while the combinations question (9 Down) should be tricky for most students and adults. My advice with this last one is to be systematic and visual - think probability trees and the like.

I'm always excited to receive solutions and questions, so please feel free to email me at toby@torchlight-tuition.co.uk - good luck and Happy Easter! 🐣

How it works

The aim of a CrossWord puzzle is to fill in all of the white squares in the grid using the clues, separated into two sections: 'Across' and 'Down'. Each numbered clue corresponds to a matching number written in the top left corner of some of the CrossNumber squares. These numbered squares are the starting points to your answers. Watch out as some numbered clues have solutions that run both 'down' and 'across'. There can only ever be one digit per square and no answer ever starts with the digit zero (0). Finally, you can't leave any white squares unfilled so, if your answer has three boxes, the solution must be a three digit number.

There we are, I've made this sound much more complicated than it really is. If you've never tried one before, give it a go. I promise it's really quite easy to get the hang of, and very rewarding when you do!

If there are any teachers or parents who'd like to print this and/or use as a PDF, you can find a copy here: https://torchlight-tuition.co.uk/resources/CrossNumber-5---Easter---A4-Worksheet.pdf

Solutions

I have included the solutions at the foot of this entry, upside down so you might not have it spoiled if you glance 'by accident' (don't worry, I won't tell anyone)!

Don't even talk to them about this (click link if you dare) abomination.

Who's a good boy? Dogs, that's who. Cats don't need your labels, thank you very much. They will respond to a name you give them, but really only if there is a food bribe or a spa offer or a sleep rider attached. Cats are not an entertaining part of your narrative: they have their own story (but will occasionally stop in for a meal and a massage).

This week’s CrossNumber is all about cats. Good luck and enjoy!

How it works

The aim of a CrossWord puzzle is to fill in all of the white squares in the grid using the clues, separated into two sections: 'Across' and 'Down'. Each numbered clue corresponds to a matching number written in the top left corner of some of the CrossNumber squares. These numbered squares are the starting points to your answers. Watch out as some numbered clues have solutions that run both 'down' and 'across'. There can only ever be one digit per square and no answer ever starts with the digit zero (0). Finally, you can't leave any white squares unfilled so, if your answer has three boxes, the solution must be a three digit number.

There we are, I've made this sound much more complicated than it really is. If you've never tried one before, give it a go. I promise it's really quite easy to get the hang of, and very rewarding when you do!

If there are any teachers or parents who'd like to print this and/or use as a PDF, you can find a copy here: https://torchlight-tuition.co.uk/resources/CrossNumber-4---Cats---A4-Worksheet.pdf

Solutions

I have included the solutions at the foot of this entry, upside down so you might not have it spoiled if you glance 'by accident' (don't worry, I won't tell anyone)!

Tasked with the Herculean job of digging a 5ft wide, 5ft deep hole every single day in the baked Texas earth, under searing heat on a dry lake bed, Stanley begins to ask questions. In doing so, he finds he is more resilient, kinder and a better friend than he supposed. Why are they digging these holes? It's a fair question and one that leads to some startling revelations as Stanley begins to unravel a 110 year family mystery.

This blog contains:

A Holes-themed Maths Quiz

A Game to help students develop plot in creative writing

By using magical realism, Louis Sachar blurs the lines between children’s fantasy and the harsh realities of everyday life. Alongside the cruel detention of the children, the flashes of violence and the relentless toil and struggle, there are bizarre yellow spotted lizards, magical potions concocted from peaches and onions, and intertwining stories of unlikely love, broken promises and revenge.

This is a book brimming with ideas and a good tutor can find inspiration on almost every page. I hope you enjoy the couple of activities I’ve put together this week, I may be back to make some more!

Zero's Maths Quiz

download here

These maths questions use the events of the story Holes to pose questions for the student. Most suitable for students in Years 7, 8 or 9.

Plot Roulette

download here

Build an interesting story by trying to explain how an unusual object got into a strange place. Even though the discover should seem bizarre and unlikely, the explanation should be logical and, if possible, ordinary. Good luck!

As always, if you have any feedback or questions, please contact me at toby@torchlight-tuition.co.uk