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:
a) Demonstrate that fractions can be represented in many different ways
b) Give practice in matching fractions with their pictorial representation
c) Give practice in matching fractions with the equivalent percentage
Version 1
This is a game for two players. 10 different fractions (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 2/3, 3/4, 1/5, 4/5, 9/10, 1/8 and 5/6 ) are represented in four different ways. The aim of the game is to collect as many cards as possible by shouting “snap” when two matching cards occur together.
Version 2
An additional 10 cards represent the same fractions as a percentage. The game is played the same way.
Happy Families
The same cards can be used with three or four players to play a version of “Happy Families.”
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.
24 different “Minutes Past” times are represented in three different ways: as an analog clock, as a digital time and as words. I have separated “minutes Past” from “Minutes To” because “Minutes to” are more difficult. This activity can be made easier by reducing the number of cards to be matched.
24 different “minutes to” times are represented in three different ways, as an analog clock, as a digital time and as words. I separated “minutes to” and “minutes past” because “minutes to” is more difficult. This activity can be made simpler by reducing the number of cards to be matched.
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.
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.
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
Onset and Rime Follow me:
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.
Phonic Dominoes:
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
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.
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.
Two sets of “Follow Me” cards, one for “Minutes To” and the other for “Minutes past.” Each consists of 24 cards that resemble dominoes. 24 times are represented in 3 different ways: as an analog time, as a digital time or as words. These can be used individually or played as a game for 2-4 players.
This is a very simple introduction to algebra using counters or pennies to work out what the next patterns in the sequences are. From there, can they work out what the rule is for the nth member of the sequence?
This game encourages children to think flexibly about their dice scores. Add, subtract, multiply and divide the numbers on the dice to make the numbers on a 100 square. If they cannot add to their own row with the numbers they have thrown, can they block an opponent? This is a game suitable for any age from 7 up. Two or three players.
