A creative Bury teacher has found an unusual solution to combat the heat whilst learning times tables.

Simon Hunt, a year four teacher at Tottington Primary School, took the not-so-hot seat yesterday posing as a target for children carrying more than 30 water balloons.

 

In his viral video posted online, two children face off against each other whilst Mr Hunt, sits in the centre of a target and asks a multiplication question.

The children must answer as quickly as they can, writing the answer on a whiteboard with the winner getting to throw a water balloon at Mr Hunt.

Mr Hunt said: “It was boiling yesterday, my classroom is only small and it was reaching around 29 degrees.

"I thought how can I cool down, so I got the kids to throw water balloons at me. 

"It worked really well because there is a times tables test we have to do as part of the government curriculum and it was a fun way to learn without them realising it. 

"I have had parents come to me and say it's a new tactic they will start using to help with revision in a really fun way."

And in the spirit of goodwill, at the end of the match, any of the children who did not win their face-off got a balloon to throw at the Year Four teacher.

Although some comments on the video expressed concern that the children were sitting outside in the sun, Mr Hunt stressed that the activity was only for 10 minutes in the early morning. 

  • Let us know if this is something you would try and send us any videos of your innovative lessons
  • Email harriet.heywood@newsquest.co.uk