Build a number

Summary

In this game, students build addition facts using cards and counters.

Curriculum content

• Adding using concrete materials
• Finding addition facts within 5 (optional: extend up to 20)

Materials

Card sets

• 1 set of Mathletics number cards 1 to 5 (or up to 20) 1-5
• 1 set of Mathletics word cards or Mathletics image cards to 5 (or up to 20) 1-5

Concrete

• 30 counters, cubes or other concrete objects

Printables

• Part-part-whole playing mat Download playing mat

How to play

Set up

1. Arrange students into pairs.
2. Shuffle or mix up the cards and place them in a pile face down.
3. Pairs need a collection of 30 counters/cubes and a part-part-whole mat to share.

Rules

1. Player 1 turns over 2 cards.
2. The bigger number is placed on the ‘whole’ section of the playing mat.
3. The smaller number is placed on the first ‘part’ section.
4. Player 1 uses objects to make an addition fact using the part-part-whole model, eg 5 (bigger card – whole) is made with 1 (smaller card – part) and 4 (objects – part)
5. Player explains their addition fact to Player 2 who confirms if it is correct.
6. Player 1 keeps the objects they used to make the addition fact.
7. Players continue to take turns until all the objects are used.
8. The player with the most objects wins.

Variations

CHANGE it down

• Students requiring support can choose only the ‘whole’ card and use counters to make both ‘parts’ of the addition facts.

CHANGE it up

• Extend the number range by including cards up to 10 or 20.
• Students to record their addition facts on paper, sticky notes or a whiteboard to share with the class.

What to look for

• Do students use the language of calculation (add, take away, altogether, in total …)?
• Are students able to compose equations verbally?
• Do students understand the consequences of zero as a part?