Mathematics News
Mathematics Newsletter Week 5
Whilst you have all been working at home and involved in your children learning, I thought it would be a good time to send out some good math games that you could play as a family that not only engage in rich mathematical thinking but also are fun for the whole family.
Board games
A lot of board games involve mathematical understanding or skills to play, be it supertising the numbers on a dice (recognising the dot patterns show a number) to the quick addition needed when playing with two dice. Many board games also develop counting and problem-solving skills. Whilst playing you could ask a question such as; how much would you need to roll to land on that square? Or What is the quickest amount of rolls it would take to get around a board?
Games that use currency are fantastic as they develop currency counting skills as well as addition and subtraction using larger numbers in context. These opportunities allow for children to see how mathematics is applied in the real world and provides the context behind what they have been learning. Games such as Monopoly could also be used to engage in bartering and deal-making with older students.
Games that could engage children
Monopoly
Snakes and Ladders
Cluedo
Anything else that involves dice or spinners as part of a chance element
Card Games
There is a multitude of card games that you can play as a family that help with mathematical skills. From simple games such as memory, which helps students identify and quickly recognise numbers and patterns to go fish, where children practise probability without realising. Some other favourites are listed below.
Cards games that could engage children
Go fish
Memory
Spit
I have attached a page below with some more examples of games and how to play.
Hopefully, you and your family are able to engage in some fun family time, whilst still practising the skills taught at school.
Addition war
Take out the picture cards
Turn over two cards. The first person to add the two together correctly keeps the cards.
Subtraction war
Take out the picture cards
Turn over two cards. Subtract the smaller number from the larger number. The first person to say the answer correctly keeps the cards.
Make 10 Memory Game
Take out the picture cards and 10s.
Layout all of the cards face down in rectangular shape.
Turn over two cards. If they add up to 10 you get to keep the cards. If put them back in their space. The next person has a go.
Place Value Pick a Place
Take out the 10s and picture cards.
Player one turns over a card. They choose where to place the number. Player two then takes their go. In the end, the person with the largest number wins if they can say their number correctly.
Round 1
Player 1
_______ ________ _________
Player 2
_______ ________ _________
Round 2
Player 1
_______ ________ _________
Player 2
_______ ________ _________
Snap
Take out picture cards. Divide cards between plays. Players turn over 1 card each. If they match, it is the first one to snap the cards. They keep the cards. The person at the end with the most cards wins.
Challenge Snap: 10s snap
Take out picture cards. Divide cards between plays. Players turn over 1 card each. If the cards add up to 10, it is the first person to snap the cards. The person at the end with the most cards wins.
Number cards - options
Turn over two cards - which is bigger? What is the difference between the numbers?
Shuffle the cards - order the cards
Turn over a card - what is 1 less?
Turn over a card - what is 1 more? 2 more? Etc.
Turn over and count on forwards/backwards
Find all the even numbers
Find all the odd numbers
Make pairs of cards that add to 10
Order the cards in multiples e.g. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 etc. or 4, 8, 12, 16 etc.
Turn over a card - make that number using unifix (make number sentences about that number)
Multiplication War
What You Need:
Deck of cards (picture cards Jacks = 11, Queens = 12, Kings and Jokers = 0)
Paper and pencils for scoring
What You Do:
Shuffle cards and place them in a pile between both players
Players each collect two cards. They turn them over and work out the product of the two.
The players with a higher product are the winner. They need to work out the difference between the two products. This is how many points they get.
The person with the most points at the end of the deck is the winner.
Addition War
What You Need:
Deck of cards (picture cards Jacks = 11, Queens = 12, Kings and Jokers = 0)
Paper and pencils for scoring
What You Do:
Shuffle cards and place them in a pile between both players
Players each collect three cards. They turn them over and work out the sum of the three.
The players with a higher sum are the winner. They need to work out the difference between the two sums. This is how many points they get.
The person with the most points at the end of the deck is the winner.
Challenge
Use four or five cards instead of three
Subtraction War
What You Need:
Deck of cards (10s and picture cards removed)
Paper and pencils for scoring
What You Do:
Shuffle cards and place them in a pile between both players
Players each collect three cards. They turn them over and create a two-digit number and a one-digit number.
Each player works out what their answer is from taking the one-digit number away from the two-digit number.
The players with the largest answer. They need to work out the difference between the two answers. This is how many points they get.
The person with most points at the end of the deck is the winner.
Challenge
Use five cards and make a three-digit number then take away the two-digit number made by the other cards
Mental Mathematics Division Challenge
What You Need:
Deck of cards (10s and picture cards removed) or 9 sided dice
What You Do:
Turn over three cards and make a two-digit number and a one-digit number. Alternatively, roll the nine-sided dice three times and do the same
Work out how many times the one-digit number goes into the two-digit number (in other words divide the two-digit number by the one-digit number). Also, work out how many remainders there would be.
See how quickly you can get through the card pack
Operations Connect 4
What You Need:
Deck of cards (picture cards Jacks = 11, Queens = 12, Kings and Jokers = 0)
Connect 4 board
What You Do:
Shuffle cards and place them in a pile between both players
One player turns over 5 cards. Using all 5 cards they need to make an equation (using any operations) that equals a number on the board. They cross this number out.
The next player does the same.
The first player with four numbers connected in a line on the board is the winner.