I have been a teacher for 35 years both in the UK and overseas. I started designing maths games while teaching teachers in Tanzania. I needed games that were quick and simple to play but taught basic number concepts. I design games wherever I see the need, whether for individual children who are struggling with a concept, or simply not finding anything suitable.The original printed sets have been available since 2012, but I have created many more since, as well as improving and updating old one
I have been a teacher for 35 years both in the UK and overseas. I started designing maths games while teaching teachers in Tanzania. I needed games that were quick and simple to play but taught basic number concepts. I design games wherever I see the need, whether for individual children who are struggling with a concept, or simply not finding anything suitable.The original printed sets have been available since 2012, but I have created many more since, as well as improving and updating old one
These games familiarise children with fractions and reinforce what fractions mean. The dominoes are played the same way as conventional dominoes but by representing each fraction in eight different ways, I aim for children to extract the essence of what a fraction is rather than simply matching identical pictures. In this new 2017 version of my Fraction Dominoes, I have replaced many of the diagrams with photographs. There are four sets at different levels which I have listed both separately and as a bundle.
Set 1 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3 ,2⁄3, 1⁄5, 1
Set 2 1⁄6, 5⁄6, 1⁄8, 3⁄8, 5⁄8, 7⁄8, 1⁄12
Set 3 Equivalent fractions 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3, 2⁄3, 1⁄5, 4⁄5
Set 4 Equivalent fractions, including decimals and percentages 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄5, 4⁄5, 1⁄8, 1⁄10
The equivalent fractions help to explain how the same value may appear in different forms. In set 3, 1⁄2 can be matched with both a numerical and a pictorial representation of 2⁄4, 3⁄6, 4⁄8, and 5⁄10, for example.
Set 4 introduces the idea that the same value can appear as a fraction, as a decimal or as a percentage. 1⁄2 can be matched with 0.5 and 50% as well as with half a box of eggs or half an apple, for example.
These games give practice in sounding out words and in building both words and non-words in an enjoyable game situation. The “follow me” cards involve matching beginnings and ends of words (and in discussing whether plausible-looking combinations actually result in real words). So, “c” can be matched with “at” to form “cat”, “p” can be matched with “en” to form “pen”, and “s” can be matched with “and” to form “sand”, for example. But can “c” be matched with “en” or “and”? Sounding out the words that players create and discussing whether the words are real or not helps to build confidence in early readers as well as an understanding of phonics and the sounds of letter combinations.
Set 1: CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) combinations, initial blends, th and ch in the initial position, -ll and -ck
Set 2: Split digraph (magic e), th-, -sh, -oo-, -ng, -nk and -or-
Set 3: -ou-, -oa-, -igh- -ow-, -or-, -ea-, -ai-, -ew, two-syllable —le words
Fraction Domino Description
These games familiarise children with fractions and reinforce what fractions mean. The dominoes are played the same way as conventional dominoes but by representing each fraction in eight different ways, I aim for children to extract the essence of what a fraction is rather than simply matching identical pictures. In this new 2017 version of my Fraction Dominoes, I have replaced many of the diagrams with photographs. There are four sets at different levels which I have listed both separately and as a bundle.
Set 1 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3 ,2⁄3, 1⁄5, 1
Set 2 1⁄6, 5⁄6, 1⁄8, 3⁄8, 5⁄8, 7⁄8, 1⁄12
Set 3 Equivalent fractions 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3, 2⁄3, 1⁄5, 4⁄5
Set 4 Equivalent fractions, including decimals and percentages 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4 , 1⁄5, 4⁄5, 1⁄8, 1⁄10
The equivalent fractions help to explain how the same value may appear in different forms. In set 3, 1⁄2 can be matched with both a numerical and a pictorial representation of 2⁄4, 3⁄6, 4⁄8, and 5⁄10, for example.
Set 4 introduces the idea that the same value can appear as a fraction, as a decimal or as a percentage. 1⁄2 can be matched with 0.5 and 50% as well as with half a box of eggs or half an apple, for example.
There are 12 different ratios represented in each set. These are shown in four different ways: as a set of dots, as a ratio, as a fraction and as a percentage. The aim of the game is to match up all four representations of each one.
The 48 cards in each set can be used in different ways.
Simply match up the four representations of each ratio
A rummy type game in which 2 or 3 players ask for a fraction or ratio that they need to complete their set. The winner is the player with the most complete sets at the end of the game.
A pelmanism type game in which the dot card and one of the other cards from each set are placed face down. Players take it in turns turning over two cards and keep the ones that match.
Set 1 uses simple ratios, fractions and percentages with either two or three different coloured dots represented in each ratio.
Set 2 uses up to four different colours in each ratio and more difficult fractions.
A design for the backs of these cards is included to prevent the two sets from becoming mixed up.
NB: Children need a basic understanding of fractions, ratio and proportion before attempting to use these cards.
This activity reinforces what fractions mean. Children arrange the 42 cards in each set along a line from 0-1. For example, which side of ¾ does 7/8 go? Why? A given fraction is illustrated in different ways: as a number; as a picture of a familiar object, such as half an apple or pizza; as a diagram or as a fraction of a whole number such as half a box of 6 eggs. There are four sets at different levels which I have listed separately because the file sizes are huge.
Set 1 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3 ,2⁄3, 1⁄5, 1
Set 2 1⁄6, 5⁄6, 1⁄8, 3⁄8, 5⁄8, 7⁄8, 1⁄12
Set 3 Equivalent fractions: 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3, 2⁄3, 1⁄5, 4⁄5
Set 4 Equivalent fractions, including decimals and percentages 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄5, 4⁄5, 1⁄8, 1⁄10,
The equivalent fractions help to explain how the same value may appear in different forms. In set 3, 1⁄2 can be matched with 2⁄4, 3⁄6, 4⁄8, and 5⁄10, for example.
Set 4 introduces the idea that the same value can appear as a fraction, as a decimal or as a percentage. 1⁄2 can be matched with 0.5 and 50% as well as with 3/6 of a box of eggs, for example.
Rhyme Rummy is a game for 2-5 players, and is played in a similar way to number rummy but is less complicated. The aim of the game is to but down rhyming words and scoring is by words put down. Each of the 24 games (8 at each level) comprises 30 words which have a sound in common (e.g. set 1a all end in –t), so children have to listen hard to the other sounds to identify rhymes. Sets can be mixed and combined in many different ways depending on the needs of the children. For example, sets can be mixed so that sounds have more or less contrast. If it is difficult for a child to hear the differences in the sounds, sets may be mixed so that there are no similarities. For example, instead of using all set 1a words, the “-at” words can be used from 1a, the -“ip” words from 1b, the “-on” words from 1d, the -“eg” words from 1e and the “-uck” words from 1f.
If a child has particular difficulties with one pair of sounds, e.g. “m” and “n”, it can be helpful to just take words ending in these letters.
Set 1: Three-, four- and five- letter phonic words (CVC, CVCC, CCVC, CCVCC) and ch-.
Set 2: Double vowels,-sh, -ch and split digraph (“magic e”) words
Set 3: Vowel digraphs and two-syllable words
This activity reinforces what fractions mean. Children arrange the 42 cards in each set along a line from 0-1. For example, which side of ¾ does 7/8 go? Why? A given fraction is illustrated in different ways: as a number; as a picture of a familiar object, such as half an apple or pizza; as a diagram or as a fraction of a whole number such as half a box of 6 eggs. There are four sets at different levels which I have listed separately because the file sizes are huge.
Set 1 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3 ,2⁄3, 1⁄5, 1
Set 2 1⁄6, 5⁄6, 1⁄8, 3⁄8, 5⁄8, 7⁄8, 1⁄12
Set 3 Equivalent fractions: 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3, 2⁄3, 1⁄5, 4⁄5
Set 4 Equivalent fractions, including decimals and percentages 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄5, 4⁄5, 1⁄8, 1⁄10,
The equivalent fractions help to explain how the same value may appear in different forms. In set 3, 1⁄2 can be matched with 2⁄4, 3⁄6, 4⁄8, and 5⁄10, for example.
Set 4 introduces the idea that the same value can appear as a fraction, as a decimal or as a percentage. 1⁄2 can be matched with 0.5 and 50% as well as with 3/6 of a box of eggs, for example.
Rhyme Rummy is a game for 2-5 players, and is played in a similar way to number rummy but is less complicated. The aim of the game is to but down rhyming words and scoring is by words put down. Each of the 24 games (8 at each level) comprises 30 words which have a sound in common (e.g. set 1a all end in –t), so children have to listen hard to the other sounds to identify rhymes. Sets can be mixed and combined in many different ways depending on the needs of the children. For example, sets can be mixed so that sounds have more or less contrast. If it is difficult for a child to hear the differences in the sounds, sets may be mixed so that there are no similarities. For example, instead of using all set 1a words, the “-at” words can be used from 1a, the -“ip” words from 1b, the “-on” words from 1d, the -“eg” words from 1e and the “-uck” words from 1f.
If a child has particular difficulties with one pair of sounds, e.g. “m” and “n”, it can be helpful to just take words ending in these letters.
Set 1: Three-, four- and five- letter phonic words (CVC, CVCC, CCVC, CCVCC) and ch-.
Set 2: Double vowels,-sh, -ch and split digraph (“magic e”) words
Set 3: Vowel digraphs and two-syllable words
This activity reinforces what fractions mean. Children arrange the 42 cards in each set along a line from 0-1. For example, which side of ¾ does 7/8 go? Why? A given fraction is illustrated in different ways: as a number; as a picture of a familiar object, such as half an apple or pizza; as a diagram or as a fraction of a whole number such as half a box of 6 eggs. There are four sets at different levels which I have listed separately because the file sizes are huge.
Set 1 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3 ,2⁄3, 1⁄5, 1
Set 2 1⁄6, 5⁄6, 1⁄8, 3⁄8, 5⁄8, 7⁄8, 1⁄12
Set 3 Equivalent fractions: 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3, 2⁄3, 1⁄5, 4⁄5
Set 4 Equivalent fractions, including decimals and percentages 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄5, 4⁄5, 1⁄8, 1⁄10,
The equivalent fractions help to explain how the same value may appear in different forms. In set 3, 1⁄2 can be matched with 2⁄4, 3⁄6, 4⁄8, and 5⁄10, for example.
Set 4 introduces the idea that the same value can appear as a fraction, as a decimal or as a percentage. 1⁄2 can be matched with 0.5 and 50% as well as with 3/6 of a box of eggs, for example.
These games familiarise children with fractions and reinforce what fractions mean. The dominoes are played the same way as conventional dominoes but by representing each fraction in eight different ways, I aim for children to extract the essence of what a fraction is rather than simply matching identical pictures. In this new 2017 version of my Fraction Dominoes, I have replaced many of the diagrams with photographs. There are four sets at different levels which I have listed both separately and as a bundle.
Set 1 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3 ,2⁄3, 1⁄5, 1
Set 2 1⁄6, 5⁄6, 1⁄8, 3⁄8, 5⁄8, 7⁄8, 1⁄12
Set 3 Equivalent fractions 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3, 2⁄3, 1⁄5, 4⁄5
Set 4 Equivalent fractions, including decimals and percentages 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄5, 4⁄5, 1⁄8, 1⁄10
The equivalent fractions help to explain how the same value may appear in different forms. In set 3, 1⁄2 can be matched with both a numerical and a pictorial representation of 2⁄4, 3⁄6, 4⁄8, and 5⁄10, for example.
Set 4 introduces the idea that the same value can appear as a fraction, as a decimal or as a percentage. 1⁄2 can be matched with 0.5 and 50% as well as with half a box of eggs or half an apple, for example.
This activity reinforces what fractions mean. Children arrange the 42 cards in each set along a line from 0-1. For example, which side of ¾ does 7/8 go? Why? A given fraction is illustrated in different ways: as a number; as a picture of a familiar object, such as half an apple or pizza; as a diagram or as a fraction of a whole number such as half a box of 6 eggs. There are four sets at different levels which I have listed separately because the file sizes are huge.
Set 1 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3 ,2⁄3, 1⁄5, 1
Set 2 1⁄6, 5⁄6, 1⁄8, 3⁄8, 5⁄8, 7⁄8, 1⁄12
Set 3 Equivalent fractions: 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3, 2⁄3, 1⁄5, 4⁄5
Set 4 Equivalent fractions, including decimals and percentages 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄5, 4⁄5, 1⁄8, 1⁄10,
The equivalent fractions help to explain how the same value may appear in different forms. In set 3, 1⁄2 can be matched with 2⁄4, 3⁄6, 4⁄8, and 5⁄10, for example.
Set 4 introduces the idea that the same value can appear as a fraction, as a decimal or as a percentage. 1⁄2 can be matched with 0.5 and 50% as well as with 3/6 of a box of eggs, for example.
The phonic dominoes are played in the same way as conventional dominoes. Instead of matching dots, these dominoes involve matching sounds (rhymes/rimes with different onsets). So, “rat” can be matched with “hat”, “mat” or “pat”, for example.
Set 1: CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant), -ll and some initial blends
Set 2: CVC, sh, ch.
Set 3: final blends, -ou-, -oa-, -ai-, -ea-, -ng
These games familiarise children with fractions and reinforce what fractions mean. The dominoes are played the same way as conventional dominoes but by representing each fraction in eight different ways, I aim for children to extract the essence of what a fraction is rather than simply matching identical pictures. In this new 2017 version of my Fraction Dominoes, I have replaced many of the diagrams with photographs. There are four sets at different levels which I have listed both separately and as a bundle.
Set 1 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3 ,2⁄3, 1⁄5, 1
Set 2 1⁄6, 5⁄6, 1⁄8, 3⁄8, 5⁄8, 7⁄8, 1⁄12
Set 3 Equivalent fractions 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3, 2⁄3, 1⁄5, 4⁄5
Set 4 Equivalent fractions, including decimals and percentages 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄5, 4⁄5, 1⁄8, 1⁄10
The equivalent fractions help to explain how the same value may appear in different forms. In set 3, 1⁄2 can be matched with both a numerical and a pictorial representation of 2⁄4, 3⁄6, 4⁄8, and 5⁄10, for example.
Set 4 introduces the idea that the same value can appear as a fraction, as a decimal or as a percentage. 1⁄2 can be matched with 0.5 and 50% as well as with half a box of eggs or half an apple, for example.
These games familiarise children with fractions and reinforce what fractions mean. The dominoes are played the same way as conventional dominoes but by representing each fraction in eight different ways, I aim for children to extract the essence of what a fraction is rather than simply matching identical pictures. In this new 2017 version of my Fraction Dominoes, I have replaced many of the diagrams with photographs. There are four sets at different levels which I have listed both separately and as a bundle.
Set 1 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3 ,2⁄3, 1⁄5, 1
Set 2 1⁄6, 5⁄6, 1⁄8, 3⁄8, 5⁄8, 7⁄8, 1⁄12
Set 3 Equivalent fractions 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3, 2⁄3, 1⁄5, 4⁄5
Set 4 Equivalent fractions, including decimals and percentages 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄5, 4⁄5, 1⁄8, 1⁄10
The equivalent fractions help to explain how the same value may appear in different forms. In set 3, 1⁄2 can be matched with both a numerical and a pictorial representation of 2⁄4, 3/6, 4⁄8, and 5⁄10, for example.
Set 4 introduces the idea that the same value can appear as a fraction, as a decimal or as a percentage. 1⁄2 can be matched with 0.5 and 50% as well as with half a box of eggs or half an apple, for example.
Improper fraction matching games, description
There are 10 different improper fractions in each set. These are represented in three different ways: as a picture, as a mixed number and as an improper fraction. The aim of the game is to match up all three representations of each one.
Set 1: halves, thirds and quarters
Set 2: fifths and tenths
Set 3: sixths, sevenths, eighths, ninths, twelfths and fifteenths
The 30 cards in each set can be used in different way.
Simply match up the three representations of each fraction
A rummy type game in which 2 or 3 players ask for the fractions needed to complete their triplets. The winner is the player with the most triplets at the end.
A pelmanism type game in which the improper fraction and the mixed number are placed face down. Players take it in turns turning over two cards and keep the ones that match.
This activity reinforces what fractions mean. Children arrange the 42 cards in each set along a line from 0-1. For example, which side of ¾ does 7/8 go? Why? A given fraction is illustrated in different ways: as a number; as a picture of a familiar object, such as half an apple or pizza; as a diagram or as a fraction of a whole number such as half a box of 6 eggs. There are four sets at different levels which I have listed separately because the file sizes are huge.
Set 1 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3 ,2⁄3, 1⁄5, 1
Set 2 1⁄6, 5⁄6, 1⁄8, 3⁄8, 5⁄8, 7⁄8, 1⁄12
Set 3 Equivalent fractions: 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄3, 2⁄3, 1⁄5, 4⁄5
Set 4 Equivalent fractions, including decimals and percentages 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 3⁄4, 1⁄5, 4⁄5, 1⁄8, 1⁄10,
The equivalent fractions help to explain how the same value may appear in different forms. In set 3, 1⁄2 can be matched with 2⁄4, 3⁄6, 4⁄8, and 5⁄10, for example.
Set 4 introduces the idea that the same value can appear as a fraction, as a decimal or as a percentage. 1⁄2 can be matched with 0.5 and 50% as well as with 3/6 of a box of eggs, for example.
Rhyme Rummy is a game for 2-5 players, and is played in a similar way to number rummy but is less complicated. The aim of the game is to but down rhyming words and scoring is by words put down. Each of the 24 games (8 at each level) comprises 30 words which have a sound in common (e.g. set 1a all end in –t), so children have to listen hard to the other sounds to identify rhymes. Sets can be mixed and combined in many different ways depending on the needs of the children. For example, sets can be mixed so that sounds have more or less contrast. If it is difficult for a child to hear the differences in the sounds, sets may be mixed so that there are no similarities. For example, instead of using all set 1a words, the “-at” words can be used from 1a, the -“ip” words from 1b, the “-on” words from 1d, the -“eg” words from 1e and the “-uck” words from 1f.
If a child has particular difficulties with one pair of sounds, e.g. “m” and “n”, it can be helpful to just take words ending in these letters.
Set 1: Three-, four- and five- letter phonic words (CVC, CVCC, CCVC, CCVCC) and ch-.
Set 2: Double vowels,-sh, -ch and split digraph (“magic e”) words
Set 3: Vowel digraphs and two-syllable words
This is a simple game to give children practice in adding tens and ones up to 100. It is one step more abstract than “Hundred Pontoon” because it uses 10p and 1p coins. By using dice, it also develops an understanding of probability. Once children understand the game, they can experiment with using different types of dice, other coin values (and so adding in multiplication of twos and fives, or twenties and fifties) and setting different targets.
This is a simple place value game to give children practice in adding tens and ones up to 100. By using dice, it also develops an understanding of probability. Once children understand the game, they can experiment with using different types of dice, adding other multiples of ten and setting different targets.
Improper fraction matching games, description
There are 10 different improper fractions in each set. These are represented in three different ways: as a picture, as a mixed number and as an improper fraction. The aim of the game is to match up all three representations of each one.
This SAMPLE contains examples from all three sets (six examples in all) so is NOT the complete game. However, there are sufficient cards to get an idea of the full games. The pictures used here are not the same as the ones in the full games, so these cards could be combined with the full sets.
Set 1: halves, thirds and quarters
Set 2: fifths and tenths
Set 3: sixths, sevenths, eighths, ninths, twelfths and fifteenths
The 30 cards in each set can be used in different way. (This sample contains 18 cards from all three levels)
1) Simply match up the three representations of each fraction
2) A rummy type game in which 2 or 3 players ask for the fractions needed to complete their triplets. The winner is the player with the most triplets at the end.
3) A pelmanism type game in which the improper fraction and the mixed number are placed face down. Players take it in turns turning over two cards and keep the ones that match.
