Children need lots of drill in order to master the basic math facts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They can get this drill through hours of boring workbook pages, dull flash cards, or lonely study. Card games offer them a way that is fun and will have them begging to do math drill.
Let’s Play Cards – The Deck
For these games, you can use a standard deck of cards with the face cards removed. However, I like to make my own decks. I made a simple deck with the numbers 1 to 12 (four of each). I also made 4 zeros as these can add fun to some of the games. I put the numbers in the corners just like a regular deck does. I am able to make the numbers a bit larger however. Because we play many different games using these kinds of cards, I have made them on several different colors of bristol or card stock paper. These are heavier weight papers and can be purchased at stores like Wal-Mart. Print shops provide an even wider selection of colors. Laminating the cards makes them much more durable. However, because I make LOTS of games and I want to be able to play right away, I use clear Contact paper to cover the cards. I find this works as well as laminating, costs less, and is so handy to have on hand. Also, I like to use a small print Contact paper on the backside of the cards. This makes them look nice and is easier for sorting if decks get mixed up. Let’s look at some games that drill these basic facts and see why children keep coming back for more:
Addition War
For beginning addition drill this one is a must. Remember the traditional game of War, or Highest Card Take? This is played in the same manner with a slightly different rule. The cards are dealt evenly between the two players (more can play, however, one-on-one with a parent is the best drill a child can get). The players place their cards in a stack face-down in front of themselves. Each player turns up TWO cards and adds them together to get the sum (answer to an addition fact). The player with the highest sum collects all turned cards. If there is a tie, each player turns two more cards and the new high sum collects all the cards face-up. Play can continue until one player has all the cards or as long as the child is enjoying the play. When the child has a fairly good handle on the facts, it is time to play Speed Addition.
Speed Addition
This game plays in the same manner as Addition War except each player turns over only one card. The players try to be the first to shout out the sum of the two turned cards. If an adult is playing with a child, the adult silently counts to 5 before giving the answer. As the child gains proficiency, the adult counts to 3, then just a short hesitation. When the child is able to play with no hesitation on the part of the adult, we know he has mastered the addition facts.
One, Two Higher
For the child that is just beginning to learn his addition facts, this is a fun variation. Place a “1” card in the center of play to remind players that we are adding ONE to each number turned or ONE HIGHER. Let the child control the single stack of cards to be turned. As they turn one card, players attempt to be the first to name the next higher number or add one to the number. The adult will make the same time allowances as mentioned above. The player giving the fastest correct response collects the card. Play one time through the stack or more if the child is enjoying himself. This game can be played with a “2” card or any other number in the center as the child progresses in his addition skill.
Take Away from 12
A 12 card is placed in the center of play. The child controls the single deck turning over one card at a time. The number on the card turned is quickly subtracted from the twelve. The first player to shout the difference is the winner of the card. Games like this that play quickly are loved by children. Children should be allowed to win a little over half of the flips. As the child gains skill, the adult hesitates less and less before giving the answer. Of course, any number can be placed in the center for variation as long as all numbers in the deck are equal or less than this number. ALTHOUGH, older children do like playing and being able to respond with negative numbers…but that is for later.
Make 20
In this game cards are dealt out evenly to both players. The first player turns up a card and states its value (6, for example). The next player turns over a card and adds it to the card on the table….(turning an 8, he would say “6 plus 8 equals 14”). Now the next turn can be ADDED or SUBTRACTED, players choice. If the player turns over a 10, he could say “14 plus 10 equals 24” or “14 minus 10 equals 4.” Players are trying to hit 20 exactly. So play will often go up and down around 20 (or any other goal number) for some time. Once in awhile the game will end very quickly. Children love this surprise and will usually beg to play again especially if they won.
Back from 100
Players start with a total of one hundred each, each writing it on a piece of paper that the other player can see. (A large dry-erase board is also a fun way to keep track of the scores in this game and adds a variation that children love…we even once kept score on the driveway with chalk.) The cards are shuffled and placed in the center of play. The first player turns over the top card and subtracts it from his total, recording his new total on his score sheet. Players continue until one player hits zero. Players can agree before play if zero must be hit exactly, or any card that is larger than the current number they have left gives them a win.
Times Five
This is a good game to drill one of the times tables. If the child has just been introduced to the fives times tables and needs drill on them, place a five in the center of play. (Of course, this can be any number, depending on the times table needing drill.) Shuffle the cards and place them in a single draw pile near the five. Let the child turn the card and place it next to the five. Then players try to be the first to shout the product (answer to a multiplication problem). Of course, the adult will use the same hesitation procedure as mentioned before. My son thought this was so fun when we played it with a ONE in the center. But it made the point very clear to him that any number times one equals the original number. Kyle was only about 5 when we did this. But he had been watching his sister and I play and he wanted to play as well. He was so proud that he could play a multiplication game!
Guess My Factor Pair
First the cards are shuffled and placed in the center of play. In turn, a player draws two cards (without letting other players see them). He multiplies the two numbers and states the product. Beginning with the player to his left, players give a factor pair for the product. For example: If the player drew 6 and 4 he would state the product as 24. Beginning with the player to his left, players would attempt to guess what pair of factors he held. Guesses could be 2 and 12, 3 and 8, 4 and 6. When a player correctly guesses the pair, the cards are shown and he collects them. If only 2 players are playing, the guesser may continue trying to figure out the pair as long as he gives accurate factors for the product given. If he gives an incorrect factor pair (one that does not produce the product) the pair of cards is shown and returned to the bottom of the draw pile. When all cards have been used, the player with the most factor pairs is the winner.
Guess My Number
First remove one of each number 1 -12 and place them in order in the center of play. Then shuffle the remaining cards. Player one draws a card and thinks of a multiplication fact using this card and one of the numbers on the table, He states the product. If he drew a 6 he may state the product 36. Player two makes a guess at the number. He may guess 3 (thinking of 3 times 12). Player one would say “no.” Player two would turn over the 3 on the table to remind himself he has already guessed that number. Then he might guess 12 (still thinking of 3 times 12). Again he would be told no and he would turn over the 12. Players can decide before play starts if they are going to allow unlimited guesses (which I would recommend for beginners) or limit the guesses to 3 or 4. If the player correctly guesses, he can collect the card. Another method of scoring could be: Get 10 points if you guess correctly the first time, 5 points for the second guess, and 2 points for each additional guess…or any other scoring system you wish to use.
Give My Quotient
In this game, one player needs to be proficient at multiplication and division, we will call him Player 1. Player 2 will be the child needing drill. Player 1 draws two cards and multiplies them. If he drew a 5 and a 7, he would state 35. He would then show one of the cards to Player 2. If he showed the 5, Player 2 would think 35 divided by 5 equals 7. If he is correct in stating the quotient, Player one would give him the cards. If incorrect, Player 1 could help a beginner to understand and even lead Player 2 to the correct response and still give him the cards. Later, players would not be given this additional help. To make it more of a game, players should change roles after each pair of cards has been drawn and response given. Adults need to be aware that beginner players MAY give an incorrect product and this can just add to the fun if handled properly. Just remember it is a game to TEACH the child.
REMEMBER:
Children love playing games ESPECIALLY if they have the undivided attention of one of their parents. This is a good activity for that “quality time” we hear so much about. Giving a child the confidence that mastery of basic math facts can provide is a wonderful gift. Think about sharing some of this special time with a child.
