Aim of the Game:
I call this game ‘Start at 0’. It help children to practise how to add and subtract with negative numbers. You are aiming to get the highest answer at the end to win. Negative numbers can be difficult to understand so put into a game context may make it easier for children to understand. You could also have a number line with negative numbers on for children to refer to if needed.
What do you need?
- Paperclips
- A fishing rod (or magnet attached to a stick)
- Some paper fish shapes. On the fish you need to write add or subtract and a number (a mixture of add and subtract) and clip a paperclip to each.
How to Play:
This game would be best played with a partner.
- Each player starts on zero.
- Take it in turns to catch a fish from the pond (turn them upside down so you can’t see the numbers).
- Answer the questions based on the calculation on the fish.
- Take it in turns to fish and solve the calculation.
- Each time you fish, you add or subtract your fish number from the previous answer.
- The game ends when all of the fish have been caught and the winner is the person with the highest final answer.
Happy fishing!
