Happy Summer!
Welcome to my blog post!
More and Less Game Boards
Even though summer has started, I am still in school thinking mode. Before I go to vacation mode, I thought would share an activity I always loved to use when we come back to school. These More and Less Boards are easy, build confidence and are a building block to establishing a class cooperative spirit.
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| Example of boards to use |
These boards are intended for either K or 1st grade since only use numerals 1-6. I have other More-less boards that have different numbers that can be used with other skills such as addition and place value.
At the end of this posting, I will talk about ways I have used these simplistic boards in other ways in order to get more mileage from them.
If you have students that need reassurance on the concept of less and more, use this 0-10 number line. They can touch the number rolled and then move forward or backward depending upon which board you are using.
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| Simple 0-10 number line |
In the beginning, to help build a safe and secure classroom, I like these types of simple activities, as they are successful for students. If you run off enough boards so that they can play partners, it builds math vocabulary as well as cooperation among peers. You could either laminate each or put them into an acetate sheet. In that way, they can be used over and over.
Gather the materials needed for the activity. You will need number cubes (with numbers 1-6), enough boards for whatever grouping you have in mind, and enough small markers for each player. I have used pompoms, dried beans, bottle caps, whatever you have that fits in the square.
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| 1 More board with materials |
Make sure the markers are different in some way for each partner so there won’t be a misunderstanding when counting the number of squares covered.
I have included 3 different version of each type of board. Sometimes I use only 1 board for all and other times I use all 3 boards so not everyone has the same order of numbers.
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| Another 1 More board |
Now ready to play! Roll the number cube. Player 1 takes a marker and covers anyone number that is either 1 less or 1 more -depending on which board and skill you are working. Initially, there will be several choices for them to cover but progressively becomes more limiting as the numbers continue to be covered. If all of the numbers have been covered and you roll that number, you lose a turn. Play continues until no more numbers can be covered.
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| 1 Less board with materials |
Each player counts the number of this/her markers on the board. Then compare that number of markers with the partner. You can choose to make it a high number of markers wins or just say who has a less number of markers or who has a higher number of markers with no winner stated.
Other ways I have used these boards are for both addition and subtraction practice. I purchased several sets of addition and subtraction flashcards from either 99¢ Store or Dollar Tree and. I take out all the cards with answers 0-7 and use those cards or flash them on a digital camera. For example, if you want the answer to be 2, find all those answers.
This activity increases the skill level, math talk and can also be used as a math assessment for you.
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