Which One Does Not Belong?

Both at once · Page 1 of 5

Name Date
DIRECTIONS: Pick the one that does not belong and say why. Any of the four can be right.
1Look at all four
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2Pick one, say why
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3Turn over: questions
a square
a rectangle
a triangle
a circle

Say Why It Does Not Belong

Both at once · Page 2 of 5

DIRECTIONS: Look back at the four shapes.
For the younger one — say it out loud
  1. Point at one. Which one?
  2. Say why, out loud. Start with "because…"
  3. How many corners has each one got?
  4. Which two look most like each other?
  5. Now pick a different one and find a reason for that one too.
For the older one — write it down
  1. Find a reason for each of the four. All four.
  2. Which of your four reasons is the strongest? Why that one?
  3. Which reason would still work if the square were much bigger?
  4. Swap one shape for a different one so that the answer becomes obvious. Which did you swap, and what did that cost?

Which One Does Not Belong? — Numbers

Both at once · Page 3 of 5

9
16
25
43
For the younger one — say it out loud
  1. Read all four numbers out loud.
  2. Which is the biggest? The smallest?
  3. Which one does not belong? Say why.
  4. Which two are closest together?
  5. Count out 9 things, then 16 things. What do you notice?
For the older one — write it down
  1. Find a reason for each of the four.
  2. Three of these have something in common that the fourth does not. What?
  3. Make each of 9, 16 and 25 into a square of dots. Can you do it with 43?
  4. Replace 43 with a number that makes the puzzle harder. What did you pick?

Make Your Own

Both at once · Page 4 of 5

DIRECTIONS: Draw your own four. Each one needs a reason.
  1. My reason for the top left:

Try Yours On Somebody

Both at once · Page 5 of 5

DIRECTIONS: Finish your reasons, then try it on somebody.
  1. My reason for the top right:
  2. My reason for the bottom left:
  3. My reason for the bottom right:
  4. Give it to somebody else. Did they pick the one you expected? Which reason did they give that you had not thought of?