matchstick

Everyday

1. A matchstick is the thin wooden stick of a match, used to light fires. tree →
2. Used to describe something very thin: «matchstick arms», «matchstick men». tree →

In the lessons

Used in everyday life, craft (matchstick models), maths puzzles (move one matchstick to fix the sum) and pattern work (matchstick patterns: count sticks in a sequence). Safety: matches are for adults; never play with them.

Examples

• The model ship was made of matchsticks. tree →
• Move one matchstick to make the sum correct. tree →
• Each square in the pattern needs four matchsticks. tree →
• Keep matches away from small children. tree →
• He drew a matchstick man. tree →
• The burnt matchstick was put in water. tree →

Note

Countable. Maths pattern: a row of n squares made with matchsticks needs 3n + 1 sticks (1 square: 4; 2 squares: 7; 3 squares: 10).