Mathematics

Holiday Fun: Keeping Maths Alive at Home!

As we head into the two-week school holidays, it’s a wonderful opportunity to keep our students' mathematical minds active—without a single worksheet in sight!

When children play mathematical games with their families, they don't just build number fluency (speed and flexibility with numbers); they develop genuine confidence and deep conceptual understanding. Best of all, they see that maths is strategic, collaborative and highly engaging.

Here are four low-prep games families can enjoy together at the kitchen table over the break.

1. Turn Over 10 (Card "Snap" Variation)

Best for: Prep to Year 2
What you need: A deck of cards with the picture cards removed (Ace = 1).
How to play: Players take turns flipping a card into a central pile. Instead of matching cards, look for combinations that add up to exactly 10 (e.g., a 7 flipped onto a 3). The first person to spot the pair slaps the pile and calls out "Ten!" to win the cards.
Why it works: Developing automaticity with "friends of 10" is the foundation for all mental addition and subtraction.

2. Get Out of My House!

Best for: Prep to Year 4
What you need: Two dice, 7 counters (or coins) per player, and a paper track numbered 2 to 12.
How to play: Roll both dice and add them together (e.g., 3 and 4 = 7). Place a counter on that number. If an opponent is already there, yell "Get out of my house!" and knock them off. If you are already there, stack a second counter to "lock" the house. First to place all 7 counters wins.
Why it works: Rapid, repeated practice of addition facts within 12 in a fun, competitive format.

3. Target 100

Best for: Years 1 to 6 (easily adjusted)
What you need: A deck of cards (Aces = 1, Picture Cards = 10, Jokers = Wild/Any value).
How to play: Partners deal cards to each other one at a time. As each card turns over, the player must decide whether to add or multiply that card's value to their running total. (e.g., Have 5, turn over 6: 5 + 6 = 11 or 5 x 6 = 30). Get as close to 100 as possible without going over ("busting").
Why it works: It shifts kids from rote memorisation to making strategic decisions about number magnitude.

4. Times Table Matrix

Best for: Years 4 to 6
What you need: A deck of cards (Ace = 1, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, remove Kings/Jokers), paper and pencils.
How to play: Deal 9 cards face up into a 3 x 3 grid. Turn over the top card of the remaining deck as the Target Number. Players have two minutes to use any two or more adjacent cards (touching horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) to create an equation using ?+?, ?-?, ?x?, or ?/? that equals the target.
Why it works: Forces upper primary students to think flexibly about factors, multiples, and order of operations.

A Quick Tip for Parents: Focus on the strategy, not just the speed. Ask questions like, "How did you work that out so quickly?" or "What card are you hoping for next, and why?" Let’s show our children that maths is about thinking, not just memorising!

We Want to Hear From You!

As we plan for next semester, we want to ensure this maths section continues to be a valuable resource for your family. As mentioned in last week's newsletter, what would you like to see featured here next? Whether it's tips on understanding modern classroom strategies, more card games, or ways to connect maths to cooking and sport, we are completely open to your ideas.

Please take a moment to email me (cspence@spmentone.catholic.edu.au) and let me know what would help you support your child's learning journey at home.

Have a safe, relaxing and mathematically rich school holiday!

Warm regards,

Charlotte Spence

Classroom Teacher (Prep CS) and Mathematics Leader