In keeping with tradition, this idea came to me at 4:00am. However, I was able to overcome the urge to park myself at the computer... good thing because I have been thinking of variations for this game all day long.
Most math curricula tackle place value right off the bat. Under the guise of a game, students will have lots of fun practicing place value skills. As an added bonus, your kiddos will have the opportunity to grow more comfortable with their new classmates as they help each other figure out their secret number.
Materials needed:
- Address labels, name tag, or other similar sticker for each student
- Paper and pencil for each student (to record clues)
- Clip board or other surface for writing
Prepare ahead of time an address label or other type of sticker with a (different) number for each student in your class. Without them seeing the number, place one sticker on each student's back. To get them really giggling, stick it to your students' foreheads.
The goal of the game is for each student to figure out their own number by asking their classmates questions. They can only ask each person one question before moving on to someone else in the class. The types of questions asked will be different based on the age of your students.
For the younger kiddos, write numbers with fewer digits on their stickers. Encourage them to ask questions such as...
How many digits are in my number?
Is the number in the tens place higher or lower than 5?
Is the number in the ones place a six?
Some students may need to be encouraged to focus on figuring out one digit at a time to help them be successful.
For older students, write larger numbers on their stickers. You may make the task more challenging by allowing only "yes" and "no" questions. For example...
Is the digit in the ten thousands place even?
Does my number have nine places?
Is the digit in the hundreds place larger than 5?
Is the digit in the tens place a multiple of three?
Provide students with a clipboard, paper and pencil to keep track of their clues. Remind them that this is a "getting to know you" activity, so they should introduce themselves to each other before asking a question.
At the end of the activity, call individual students to the front of the room and have them read the number they think is on their sticker. Be sure to circulate around the room and help students who may need additional support. The goal is for all of your kiddos to experience success in this activity. :)
Below you will find a worksheet for your students to keep track of their clues. Simply click on the bar below the image to get a free PDF version. While this worksheet may be necessary for some kids to organize their thoughts, others may work better with just a blank piece of paper. Let them choose what works best for their brains. Have fun!
**When checking my attachment of the PDF file, I had trouble printing it at first. If you go "file" then "print", you will end up with a blank page. Instead, after clicking the link to the file, hover over the bottom of the document and icons will pop up. Choose the printer icon and you should have no problems. **
Most math curricula tackle place value right off the bat. Under the guise of a game, students will have lots of fun practicing place value skills. As an added bonus, your kiddos will have the opportunity to grow more comfortable with their new classmates as they help each other figure out their secret number.
Materials needed:
- Address labels, name tag, or other similar sticker for each student
- Paper and pencil for each student (to record clues)
- Clip board or other surface for writing
Prepare ahead of time an address label or other type of sticker with a (different) number for each student in your class. Without them seeing the number, place one sticker on each student's back. To get them really giggling, stick it to your students' foreheads.
The goal of the game is for each student to figure out their own number by asking their classmates questions. They can only ask each person one question before moving on to someone else in the class. The types of questions asked will be different based on the age of your students.
For the younger kiddos, write numbers with fewer digits on their stickers. Encourage them to ask questions such as...
How many digits are in my number?
Is the number in the tens place higher or lower than 5?
Is the number in the ones place a six?
Some students may need to be encouraged to focus on figuring out one digit at a time to help them be successful.
For older students, write larger numbers on their stickers. You may make the task more challenging by allowing only "yes" and "no" questions. For example...
Is the digit in the ten thousands place even?
Does my number have nine places?
Is the digit in the hundreds place larger than 5?
Is the digit in the tens place a multiple of three?
Provide students with a clipboard, paper and pencil to keep track of their clues. Remind them that this is a "getting to know you" activity, so they should introduce themselves to each other before asking a question.
At the end of the activity, call individual students to the front of the room and have them read the number they think is on their sticker. Be sure to circulate around the room and help students who may need additional support. The goal is for all of your kiddos to experience success in this activity. :)
Below you will find a worksheet for your students to keep track of their clues. Simply click on the bar below the image to get a free PDF version. While this worksheet may be necessary for some kids to organize their thoughts, others may work better with just a blank piece of paper. Let them choose what works best for their brains. Have fun!
**When checking my attachment of the PDF file, I had trouble printing it at first. If you go "file" then "print", you will end up with a blank page. Instead, after clicking the link to the file, hover over the bottom of the document and icons will pop up. Choose the printer icon and you should have no problems. **
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