Times Tables Game: Roll, Calculate, Colour

This Times Tables game is based on connect four.

Children roll a dice, multiply it by a given number and find the product on the game sheet.

So far, so simple…

However, there are a few MATHSTICKS tweaks.

Firstly, the numbers aren’t random. We’ve made grids with products in families so children are encouraged to see the connections between the different multiplication ‘families’.

For example, the first set of grids features multiples of 2x, 5x and 10x…

This encourages the children to talk to each other about the different products they can see and how they are related.

Another grid is formed from the 2x, 4x and 8x ‘family’.

If children spend time looking for and discussing the connections and patterns, they will be better placed to think about larger numbers (see the last set of grids). This has a direct, positive impact on their understanding and fluency.

Secondly, we suggest using a labelled tray in which to roll the dice. If the children are working with the 3x, 6x and 9x grids, a labelled tray (or box lid) enables them to roll an ordinary dice into the tray – where the dice lands is important! Players multiply the dice number by the number where the dice rests.

Checkout the video to see how this works.

Thirdly, the grids are ‘double-ended’ so children can play at opposite sides of a table. They colour their own grid, and the winner is the first with four in a row in any direction.

Encourage the children to discuss how they know they are correct and what strategy they used to calculate.

Have fun.

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Please rate and comment if you use this and your children gain something from it. Thanks.