FIFTY! A MENTAL ADDITION AND STRATEGY BOARD GAME.

Hi All,

I figured it was time to share a simple board game. FIFTY focuses on addition of double-digit numbers. All you need is the game board and 13 markers (could be buttons, coins, paper clips, or any small manipulative. By the way, those little plastic tags that keep your bread bags closed are handy manipulatives for a game like this. Just sayin').

On the game board you see there are a mix of numbers. Play begins as the first player puts a marker down on any number and announces that number as the current total.

The other player then places a marker on any uncovered number, adds that number to the previous number, and announces a new total.

Players continue alternating turns, placing markers on the game board, and announcing the new total.

The object of the game is to try to get a total of 50 exactly on your turn. When you do, you get 3 points. If not that, then get a total over 50. For that, you get 1 point.

It sounds simple, but in addition to addition (ha,ha), there can be a lot of strategy and mental math involved in making careful choices to advance your own chances and minimize your opponents. Try it! You'll see.

It's fun to play this as a team of two vs. another team of two, but it's fine just one on one as well.

Here's the link for a directions sheet, game board, and score card. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xYErdQacah78U6mS6Kc50DIiwBMIEkiK/view?usp=sharing

This game is from a great book called Nimble with Numbers: Grades 2&3 by Childs, Choate, and Wickett (Dale Seymour, 1998). The Nimble with Numbers series has a ton of great math games for different grade levels. Available on amazon and other book and math materials providers.

All the best,
Bob

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