Smallest Single Number
Math Concepts
Counting and quantities
Materials
None
Players
Whole class
Set up
Gather the students in a group, sitting or standing. If you like, have a way for students to write down their number.
Play
This game starts with each player thinking of a number and writing it down. When everyone is ready, the leader starts slowly counting aloud from 1.
With the announcement of each number, anyone who was thinking of that number calls out, raises a hand, or otherwise indicates that it’s their number. If more than one person calls out, those people are “out” and the leader continues to count. If only one person calls out, they are the winner of the round.
If the players do not write down their numbers, a good habit to establish is to have the players call out immediately without hesitation, so that no one has a chance to hear or see what others are doing.
Goal
Be the first player to be the only player with a number.
Discussion and Tips
This is a very simple group game that people of all ages enjoy. It works better in groups of at least ten. Playing it several times in a row can bring out some interesting and amusing strategies. Letting the players “psyche-out” others with statements like “I’m going to take 2,” can add to the fun (especially if they don’t do what they said they would).
Variations
Make it Active: Make this an active game by turning the “calling out” into an action. For example, have them thinking of their number while crouched down in a ball on the floor, looking at the floor. When the leader calls their number, they get to pop up, and the game is played as described above. Another possibility is for them to all be facing away from the circle and then spin around when their number is called.
Rewards: You can assign some reward for winning a round, such as being the first one to get to do something, or you can just play for the satisfaction of success.