Game

This is an excellent strategy game for practising basic addition facts. To introduce the game, begin with its simplest form, two columns, and model the progression of a game with two players. Most two-column games will end with the numbers 5, 6, or 7 placed. Here is another example:

At this point in the game, the even-numbered player could be attempting to trap the odd player at 7 by thinking ahead.

This “think ahead” strategy becomes more pronounced in the three-column game. With three columns, the games usually end with numbers about 14, 15, or 16 unable to be placed. If games progress into the twenties, students have usually missed pairs of numbers that block a number being written. This provides another opportunity for basic addition practice. For example:

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Game
Game of addition