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Three in a row

Strand Number
Topic Addition
  • 1
  • < 5 mins
    Prep < 5 mins
  • 5-10 mins
    Play 5-10 mins
  • Pairs
    Pairs
Complexity: Complex
Teaching style: Independent
Movement level: Active
Three in a row

Summary

Students add two 1-digit numbers to connect three numbers in a row on a number card grid.

Curriculum content

  • Add two 1-digit numbers

Materials

Card sets

  • 1 set of Mathletics number cards 1 to 12 1-12

Three in a row

Concrete

  • 2 dice
  • Different colored counters for each player
  • Counters or a number line (to aid with calculation) 

Printables

How to play

Set-up

  1. Arrange students into pairs.
  2. Shuffle or mix up the cards.
  3. Arrange the cards face up in a 3 x 4 grid.

Three in a row

Rules

  1. Player 1 rolls the dice and adds the 2 numbers shown on the dice.
  2. Player 1 places a counter on the number grid on the answer card (provided there isn’t already a counter on that card).
  3. Players take turns.
  4. If a player rolls the dice and cannot place their counter on the grid using the total of the 2 dice, they miss a turn.
  5. The winner is the first player to get 3 counters in a row (horizontally, vertically or diagonally). Note: The 1 is a ‘wild card’ and can be counted by either player in their row of 3.

Variations

CHANGE it up

  • Extend students by using up to 18 with 3 dice.
  • Students role 3 dice and can choose which 2 they use.
  • Ask students to record addition sentences.

What to look for

  • Can students create correct addition equations?
  • Are students flexible in the order they add?
  • What strategies do students use to add?
  • Do students recognize that they will never be able to cover the number 1 with 2 dice?
  • Are students strategic in where they place their counters?
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