Countdown!

We usually begin math group with a whole group activity. After that we often work with partners or individually. Children often finish the work/project for the day at different times. If there is time left before snacktime at 10:00, they may have Math Choice. Choice time usually includes Job Cards (individual math task cards from Creative Publications and Marcy Cook), math workbooks, and math games from our math shelves. Currently the games on the shelf are Race for a Dollar and COUNTDOWN!.

COUNTDOWN! (by Cadaco) is a current favorite. In this game each player has wooden pegs numbered 1-10. In turn, players roll two dice. Each takes the two numbers generated and adds, subtracts, multiplies, or divides the two numbers. He/she turns over one peg representing the result of the operation chosen. For example, if 2 and 6 are rolled, the player can flip over 8 (2+6), 4 (6-2), or 3 (6 divided by 2). Multiplication does not work here as 2 X 6 is more than 10. The goal is to flip over all 10 number pegs. Some of the children are quicker at mental math and easily come up with the options. Others are helped by their fellow players to consider what numbers they can use. Over time they develop strategies, recognizing which numbers are harder to get and turning those over as soon as they can. It is a great game for strengthening students' understanding of number operations and their quick recall of math facts.