Pairing Down
The setup
Start with a number line that goes from 1 to some number, say 20.
How to play
During a turn, choose two numbers and a result, none of which have been crossed out, and write down an addition or subtraction equation that involves those numbers. The two numbers in the equation are crossed off, and the result is circled. The next player must use the result as one of the two numbers.
How to win
If it is played competitively, the winner is the last player with a legal move. It can also be played cooperatively to see how few numbers are left untouched.
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!