Investigations
Game Topics List
Some games appear in more than one unit and/or grade. At least one or two
major mathematical topics for each game, but generally the games are rich with
many topics and ideas for students to engage in. A few of the games have more
information: ways to modify a game, questions to ask students, management
tips, and a larger list of mathematical ideas involved. Please send email to
Diana(davino@clintonpublic.org) for suggestions for these or other games.
First Grade
The Game of Compare
Unit(s) Mathematical Thinking Grade 1
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics-Comparing Numbers and Quantities
What comes next?
Unit(s) Mathematical Thinking Grade 1
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics-Describing Patterns
Collect 15 together
Unit(s) Mathematical Thinking Grade 1
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics-Counting Groups of Objects
Compare Dots
Unit(s) Building Number Sense
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics Developing Counting Strategies
The Game of Double Compare
Unit(s) Building Number Sense
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics Finding Total of Two Quantities
Towers of 10
Unit(s) Building Number Sense
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics Working with Number Combinations
Five-in-a-row
Unit(s) Building Number Sense
Number Games & Story Problems
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics Solving Combining and Separating Problems
Dot Addition
Unit(s) Building Number Sense
Number Games & Story Problems
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics Working with Number Combinations
On and Off
Unit(s) Number Games & Story Problems
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics Working with Addition
Total of 10
Unit(s) Number Games & Story Problems
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics Relationships between Numbers
Collect $.25 Together
Unit(s) Number Games & Story Problems
Mathematical Thinking Grade 2
Grade(s) 1, 2
Major ideas, topics Working with Coins
Missing Numbers
Unit(s) Number Games & Story Problems
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics Reading & Sequencing Numbers to100
Roll Tens
Unit(s) Number Games & Story Problems
Grade(s) 1
Major ideas, topics Organizing Sets of Objects
Tens Go Fish
Unit(s) Number Games & Story Problems
Mathematical Thinking Grade 2
Coins, Coupons & Combos
Grade(s) 1, 2
Major ideas, topics Working with Combinations of 10
Grade 2
Turn Over Ten
Unit(s) Mathematical Thinking Grade 2
Coins, Coupons & Combos
Grade(s) 2
Major ideas, topics Working with Combinations of 10
Management Tip
To help children keep track of the 5 rows of 4 cards make game boards (grids)
on 11X17 oaktag. The children can then arrange the cards and keep track of
them so they can focus on the math.
Close to 20
Unit(s) Coins, Coupons & Combinations
Grade(s) 2
Major ideas, topics Strategies for Addition Combinations
Last Block Game
Unit(s) Shapes, Halves & Symmetry
Grade(s) 2
Major ideas, topics Logical Reasoning & Spatial Relationships
Guess My Shape Rule
Unit(s) Shapes, Halves & Symmetry
Grade(s) 2
Major ideas, topics Sorting Shapes by Size
Get to 100
Unit(s) Putting Together & Taking Apart
Grade(s) 2
Major ideas, topics Structure and Patterns of the 100 Chart
Math Ideas
* number of strings - combining numbers in easy ways (5's and 10's)
* moving in groups of 5's and 10's
* recording work so that it's mathematically correct
Look For
* is it possible to land on 23?
* what's an average number of moves it takes to get there?
* if it takes 7 moves, what could you have rolled?
Variation
* use of money instead of dice
* ask for as many combinations as possible to 100
* move the difference of the 2 numbers
* go back down to zero
Roll-a-Square
Unit(s) Putting Together & Taking Apart
Grade(s) 2
Major ideas, topics Structure and Patterns of the 100 Chart
Math Ideas
* counting to 100, using 100 chart
* double facts
* place value
Look For
* how are they counting?
* are they using groups of 10?
* stategies for "how many more"
* visual abilities, one-to-one correspondence
Variations
* build one square together as a pair
* add a 3rd die
* make a rectangle - 200 or 300 cubes
* squares of different sizes: 5 x 5, 3 x 3, etc.
* roll for a dollar - from Marilyn Burns
* roll a flat
* for students who finish early, they can continue by taking OFF cubes for
each turn and doing the opposite of the card directions.
Collect $1
Unit(s) Putting Together & Taking Apart
Grade(s) 2
Major ideas, topics Developing Strategies for (+) and (-)
Capture 5
recommended for grades 2 - 4
Unit(s) Putting Together & Taking Apart
Grade(s) 2
Major ideas, topics Operating with 1's and 10's in 100 Chart
* adding or subtracting tens orbig numbers like 23
* familiarity with hundred chart
* notation, recording work correctly
* strategies - planning ahead
Cover Up
Unit(s) Putting Together & Taking Apart
Grade(s) 2
Major ideas, topics Finding Missing Parts
Grade 3
Plus-Minus-Stay the Same
Unit(s) Mathematical Thinking Grade 3
Grade(s) 3
Major ideas, topics Problems with Doubles and Halves
Count and Compare
Unit(s) Things that come in Groups
Grade(s) 3
Major ideas, topics
Maze Game
Unit(s) Turtle Paths
Grade(s) 3
Major ideas, topics Understanding Paths as Records of Movement
The Fraction Cookie Game
Unit(s) Fair Shares
Grade(s) 3
Major ideas, topics Identifying Fraction Parts
What's My Shape?
Unit(s) Exploring Solids and Boxes
Grade(s) 3
Major ideas, topics Learning to Describe Geometric Solids
Grade 4
Array Games (4 choices)
Unit(s) Arrays and Shares
Grade(s) 4
Major ideas, topics Understanding Arrays through (*) and (/)
101 - 200 Bingo
Unit(s) Landmarks in the Thousands
Grade(s) 4
Major ideas, topics Using Landmarks and Skip Counting
Capture Fractions
Unit(s) Different Shapes, Equal Pieces
Name that Portion
Grade(s) 4, 5
Major ideas, topics Comparing and Identifying Positions of Fractions
Fraction Fish
Unit(s) Different Shapes, Equal Pieces
Grade(s) 4
Major ideas, topics Matching Equivalent Fractions
Close to 100
Unit(s) Combining and Comparing
Landmarks in the Thousands
Money, Miles and Large Numbers
Mathematical Thinking Grade 5
Grade(s) 3, 4, 5
Major ideas, topics Finding Combinations Close to 100
Close to 1000
Unit(s) Landmarks in the Thousands
Money, Miles and Large Numbers
Grade(s) 4
Major ideas, topics Finding Combinations Close to 100
Division Bingo
Unit(s) Packages and Groups
Grade(s) 4
Major ideas, topics Finding Factors of Large Numbers
Beat the Calculator
Unit(s) Money, Miles, and Large Numbers
Grade(s) 4
Major ideas, topics Using Mental Estimation to Problem-Solve
Grade 5
Different Paths to 100
Unit(s) Mathematical Thinking Grade 5
Grade(s) 5
Major ideas, topics Reasoning about Calculations
Close to 0
Unit(s) Mathematical Thinking Grade 5
Grade(s) 5
Major ideas, topics Understanding Relationships of Place Values
In-Between Game
Unit(s) Name that Portion
Grade(s) 5
Major ideas, topics Develop Sense of Relative Size of Fractions
Roll Around the Clock
Unit(s) Name that Portion
Grade(s) 5
Major ideas, topics Adding Fractions
Math Ideas
* adding fractions
* estimating
* probability - to roll again or not, which die to roll
* mixed numbers
* visualizing fractions
Questions to ask
* why did you roll, not roll again, which die?
* did you consider the opponent?
Variations
* make pie pieces with paper for concrete model to cover clock
* figure out fraction they need - record this
* use 60 minutes
Fraction Track
Unit(s) Name that Portion
Grade(s) 5 & up
Major ideas, topics Adding Equivalent Fractions
Math Ideas
* equivalence
* adding, subtracting fractions
* comparing with percentages
* renaming fractions
* landmarks - 1/2, 1
* relative size
Questions to Ask
* another way to do it?
* how did you do it?
Variations
* play without fifths and tenths
* use equivalence chart as a reference
* play only to 1
* record each turn as addition problem
* play "Roll around the Clock" first
* encourage multiple tracks, many denominators
* subtract - start at 2
Fill Two/ Fill Four
Unit(s) Name that Portion
Grade(s) 5
Major ideas, topics Combining Decimals on Grids
Smaller to Larger
Unit(s) Name that Portion
Grade(s) 5 & up
Major ideas, topics Working with Decimals - Ordering Decimals
Decimals In-Between
Unit(s) Name that Portion
Grade(s) 5
Major ideas, topics Working with Decimals
Unfair Spinner Game
Unit(s) Building on Numbers You Know
Grade(s) 5
Major ideas, topics Comparing Strategies for Subtracting 4 & 5 Digit Numbers
Estimation
Recommended for grades 4 and up
Unit(s) Building on Numbers You Know
Grade(s) 5
Major ideas, topics Developing Strategies for Estimation
Math Ideas
* mental arithmetic
* estimation
* clusters, breaking apart
* place value
Variations
* slower, faster
* easier number of digits/harde
Multiple and Factor Bingo
Unit(s) Arrays and Shares, Picturing Polygons (ten minute math)
Grade(s) 5
Major ideas, topics -Relating Factors to their Multiples, Multiplication Patterns
Factor/Multiple Bingo
Math Ideas
* Flexible thinking about factors
* Reinforcement of multiplication facts
* Recognition of factors and divisibility rules
* Knowledge of prime numbers.
* Seeing number patterns - visually too
* Knowing difference between factors and multiples
* Skip counting with different steps - distance between steps
* Relationships between factors
* A strategy for winning
Questions to Ask
* Why are you starting at a particular place ? Where are you starting ?
* Prove to me that your number works
* What other numbers could you have covered ? Could you use a higher or
lower number ?
* How did you use a wild card ?
* What strategies can you share with classmates ?
* What could you do to change the game ?
* Ask why certain numbers are harder/easier
Variations
* Students create additional multiple cards
* Limit factor cards to a few families.
* Change number of cards to get in a row.
* Make up your own set of big multiples.
* Play multiples with a 100-200 chart; with a 300 chart.
* Use calculator to check each other.
* Increase the factor families
* Disallow first row, left row, or 10's column for Factor Bingo.
* Require first number to be in the middle
* Increase number of players
* Write the equation that goes with it on a recording sheet
Management and Other Ideas
* Laminate 100s boards and reuse
* When teaching the game, brainstorm all the possibilities
* Group by pairs of similar ability levels, one pair versus another pair
* Play collaboratively
* Demonstrate game with small group to explain strategies
* kids find multiples easier than factors