Number (place value): Penguin Thief

1 - Learning Objective

Challenge level ⭐

(designed for children with prior knowledge of the Year 3 programme of study)

Learning Objective

We are learning how to solve a natural world problem by using and applying our skills and knowledge of number and place value.

Useful prior knowledge:

  • To identify odd and even numbers
  • To count in multiples of 10
  • To calculate sum of digits

Credit: BBC One - Frozen Planet

Clip Description

Named after Adéle d’Urville, the wife of the French Antarctic explorer, Adélie penguins are the smallest and most widespread penguins in the Antarctic. Adélie penguins are carnivores that get 100% of their food from the sea.They are excellent swimmers and can dive to depths of up to 175 m in search of prey.

In this fascinating clip, a male Adélie penguin can be seen making a nest from small rocks. To have the best opportunity of attracting a mate, his nest will need to stand out from the rest on this particular stretch of coastline. Size is everything! However, in his neighbourhood, there would appear to be a thief. Someone is stealing HIS rocks! Who do you think it is? Watch the clip to find out.

Quick Whiteboard Challenge

We have learnt that Adélie penguins can dive to depths of up to 175 metres in search of prey. If we add together the digits of 175 we make the number 13.

1 + 7 + 5 = 13

Can you think of a different 3 digit number, where the sum of its digits is 13? How many more examples can you find?