Promoting Maths Talk Through Games

Jess Bennett

Why talking is important

- Reasoning - Learning from others - Discussing ideas can provide clarity - Builds confidence through sharing of ideas

How games can promote talk

Games can be a problem based task, requiring students to reflect on ideas they have previously learnt, strategies they have been developing and allowing them an opportunity to link mathematical concepts. Playing a game within a group context allows them to share their ideas. It encourages them to reason with others to ensure they have a fair opportunity to participate within the game.

Whole Class Games

Clumps

Everyone take a number or write a number.

Move around the room and wait for the music to stop, form a group of the number called out.

Order your groups numbers from smallest to largest.

Variations

• Change the numbers.

• Change what is called out from a number to a problem.

Number lines

Use a netball court sideline as your number line. Place 0 at one end and 10 at the other.

Put class into groups of about 4 or 5.

Call out a number.

One person from each group runs to stand where the number would be. This rotates between group members.

They must justify where they are standing.

Variations

• • Change the numbers. Place cone out to mark out where some numbers would be. Makes it easier.

Around the world

The whole class is in a circle.

Select one student to stand up behind another student, it is their turn.

Flip over 2 numbers. Students add these together and calls out the answer as fast as possible. The winner moves on “Around the World”. To move they must justify their answer.

Variations

• Change the numbers.

• Change what is called out from a number to a problem. • Change the operation • Use numerals or subitising cards

Gameshow Numbers

Put class into groups of 3 Provide one group member with a calculator, one with a whiteboard and one with counters.

Call out a number, the students must represent the number as a numeral, on the calculator and as a collection.

Variations

• Change the numbers.

• • Change the materials.

Change from numbers to shapes. Draw the shape, make the shape, list the shapes properties

Relays

Put class into groups of 3 or 4 Separate the groups around the room. In the middle of the room have a group of problems (enough sets to allow for one for each group).

On ‘GO! ’ one student runs in and takes the first problem and runs back to their group. They answer then run in get it checked and then take the next question if they are correct.

Variations

• • • One is a Snail, 10 is a Crab.

A variety of different questions that are open ended. Make shapes, provide with shape properties and they need to create a shape from this.

Small Group Games

More or Less, the Same!

Roll the dice.

Choose your word – more, less or same.

Turn a card over from the deck. If you were correct, take a counter. If not continue round the circle.

Variations

• Instead of using a deck of cards use ¼ as the marker for more or less and a fraction dice to roll. Instead of taking counters, students can take fractional parts to try and make a whole. This can work for decimal numbers also.

No Score!

Provide students with the following template

Less More

Students flip over 2 cards from a playing deck. They add these together. They place the number on the template. If they get 10 it is NO SCORE!

The person with the most numbers in “More” wins!

Variations

• • • Get students to add the entire scores together to determine the winner.

Use dice and get students to multiply the numbers.

Change the number in the middle.

Chicken Scramble

Developed by Di Siemen Place a large number of counters in the middle of the circle. Students get their chicken beaks ready and on go collect as many counters as they can.

They must then count these counters quickly and efficiently.

Variations

• Use money instead of counters.

Place Value Play

Developed by Di Siemen See template

Variations

• • • Change the numbers on the game board.

Change the number of boxes.

Change the type of dice.

Your Turn!

Does any one have a point to share or a game they use in their classroom?