Activity Instructions: Maths mayhem games

Game 1: Sit down, December

Note: This activity can also be a great one to practise LOTE language for months of the year, days of the week, or numbers to 20!

Step 1

Invite students to stand in a circle. The teacher can choose a student to start from.

Step 2

Explain the rules of the game to students:

Students need to call out the months of the year in order, but the student who calls out ‘December’ must sit down because they are ‘out’.
If a student says the wrong month of the year, they are ‘out’.
Students need to say the next month in quick succession, or else they are ‘out’.
The winner is the last student standing.

Game 2: I’m going on holiday

Step 1

Students can sit down for this one, facing the board.

Step 2

Choose a multiple to use (such as 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s) but don’t tell the students what you have chosen.

Step 3

Then say to the students, 'I’m going on holiday, and I’m taking the number…'.

Write one number from the multiple at the top of the board. For example, if using the 10s, they might say, 'I’m going on holiday, and I’m taking the number 50'.

Step 4

Underneath this number, draw up two columns; add a YES to the top of one column and a NO to the top of the other.

Step 5

Students can then take turns suggesting a number to take on holiday. You should respond with 'Yes!' if the number is one of the multiples or 'No!' if it isn’t a multiple. Add these numbers to the relevant columns on the board as students guess.

The aim of the game is for students to work out which multiple the teacher is using for their holiday from the numbers that are being accepted or rejected.

There is plenty of research that demonstrates the benefits of group work for student learning. The primary reason for doing group work is to have students actively engaged in their topics by coming together to explore an idea. Being in a group allows students to explore different perspectives on a topic and to consider their own opinions. It allows students to be active in their learning, rather than passive. Find out more about the benefits of group work here.

Meaningful Moments: Maths Mayhem Games

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