Beep
The setup
Put the players in a circle. Start by identifying a group of numbers to use for a round of the game. Choose any group of numbers that would be fun or that provide practice with a concept. Some standard choice are:
- odd numbers or even numbers
- multiples of 3 (or some other number)
- multiples of 3 together with multiples of 7
- multiples of 3 that are not multiples of 5
- multiples of 3 together with numbers that have the digit 3 in them
- prime numbers
How to play
Going around the circle, the players take turns saying the numbers starting at 1. When a player has a number in the group, they must say ‘beep’ instead of the number. If a player fails to say beep, or says beep for an incorrect number, they’re out.
How to win
The last player remaining in wins!
Helping your child
First and foremost, playing math games should be fun, like any other game your family plays together!
Please let your child make poor plays (mistakes) without correction, and resist the urge to tell them the best ways to play. Bit by bit, your child will get better at the game, and they will learn so much more if you let them figure things out. There is no hurry.
If you see your child make a mistake, ask them to describe why they decided to do what they did. If your child is stuck and doesn’t know which play to make, ask them to describe the pros and cons of their choices, or ask them about how they solved a similar situation in the past. If your child doesn’t remember how to do a calculation, discuss with them the methods they know for figuring it out. These conversations are important for helping your child to develop mathematically.
Through math game play and math conversations, you are helping your child learn to enjoy math and develop important problem solving skills!