Pass the Numbeanie

Summary

This game uses counting to pass the parcel with number cards and a Numbeanie as the prize.

Curriculum content

• Count from 1 to 10

Materials

Card sets

• 1 set of Mathletics number cards 1 to 10 1-10
• 1 ‘Numbeanie’ image card

How to play

Set up

1. Organize students into groups of at least 6 or up to a whole class.
2. Arrange students into a seated circle.
3. Select a student as the starting player and give them the pack of cards.

Rules

1. The starting player turns over the top card from the deck and reads the target number aloud.
2. The card is placed face up inside the circle of players.
3. The player then passes the whole pack to the player on their left who counts ‘one’.
4. Players continue to pass the pack to their left until the count reaches the target card number.
5. The player holding the pack when the count ends turns over the top card and reads the number aloud.
6. The pack is again passed around until the new target number is counted.
7. Play continues until a player turns over a ‘Numbeanie’ card. This player wins the round.
8. After each round, gather all the cards and mix them up to shuffle the deck.
9. Begin a new round starting with the winner of the last round.

Note: If holding the pack of cards is too difficult for the students, secure the pack with an elastic band.

Variations

CHANGE it down

• Students all count together as the cards are passed.

CHANGE it up

• Use a mix of word and number cards.
• Use cards 1 to 20.
• Use only even cards 2 to 20 and players skip count by 2s.

What to look for

• Are students able to read the number they turn over?
• Are students able to count correctly and confidently when they receive the pack?
• Can students predict, by making their own count, if they will be the next player to take a turn?