Tug of War
Can you use the numbers on the dice to reach your end of the number line before your partner beats you?
Problem
You will need a counter (or something similar), paper and two 1-6 dice.
How to play:
Draw a number line on paper like this:
Place the counter on the number 14:
One player is called 'Plus' and the other is called 'Minus'. Decide who is who.
Plus moves the counter from left to right and Minus moves the counter from right to left.
Take it in turns to throw the two dice and add up the two numbers.
Move the counter that number of places in your direction.
If the counter reaches 1, Minus has won and so, of course if the counter reaches 27, Plus has won.
You might think about whether you have to land exactly at 1 or 27 or if you're allowed to end up beyond those points. What difference will it make if you are allowed to go beyond rather than landing exactly on the end numbers?
Once you have got used to the game, you might like to make some changes. You can decide. Perhaps you might have one counter each and see who gets to their end first; perhaps you might find the difference between the two numbers on the dice; perhaps you might use three dice; perhaps you might use one dice and a shorter line...
When you've changed the rules you can talk about whether or not your change makes the game better to play.
Getting Started
How many spaces are there between the counter and your end of the number line?
Can you make that number using the two dice?
What CAN you make using the two dice?
Student Solutions
We haven't heard from anyone yet but do get in touch.
Did you decide whether it is better to play a game where you have to reach the end exactly or play where you can "overshoot" the end?
What do you think of the version of the game when you can add or subtract?
Perhaps you have some rules of your own to share with us?
Teachers' Resources
Tug of War
You will need a counter (or something similar), paper and two 1-6 dice.
How to play:
Draw a number line on paper like this:
Place the counter on the number 14:
One player is called 'Plus' and the other is called 'Minus'. Decide who is who.
Plus moves the counter from left to right and Minus moves the counter from right to left.
Take it in turns to throw the two dice and add up the two numbers.
Move the counter that number of places in your direction.
If the counter reaches 1, Minus has won and so, of course if the counter reaches 27, Plus has won.
You might think about whether you have to land exactly at 1 or 27 or if you're allowed to end up beyond those points. What difference will it make if you are allowed to go beyond rather than landing exactly on the end numbers?
Once you have got used to the game, you might like to make some changes. You can decide. Perhaps you might have one counter each and see who gets to their end first; perhaps you might find the difference between the two numbers on the dice; perhaps you might use three dice; perhaps you might use one dice and a shorter line...
When you've changed the rules you can talk about whether or not your change makes the game better to play.
Why play this game?
What children need to know to play this game
To play this game independently children need to be able to use a dice and count their move using the number thrown. They need to be able to distinguish moves to the left from moves to the right.
Possible approach
Key questions
These questions have been phrased in ways that will help you to identify children's prior knowledge about both the number concepts involved in playing the game and the strategies/mathematical thinking needed to win.
Number concepts
Shall we add or subtract the two numbers? Why?
Is it better to play a game where you can add or subtract the numbers on the dice? Why?
Problem solving, mathematical reasoning and winning strategies
Possible extension
Possible support
Children could try the Incey Wincey Spider game as a precursor to this one.