Game: Thundergoats (Combinations for ten)

SUBJECTS:  Maths
YEARS:  F–2, 3–4

This is no ordinary thunderstorm: it's raining goats!

Now there are goats everywhere and we need to work out the totals. As a team, use your knowledge of different strategies to find the total number of Thundergoats as efficiently as possible (e.g. use combinations for ten).

Mathematical ideas and strategies this game supports:

• Noticing how items are organised can help you work out their total (subitising).
• There are many ways to add and subtract numbers to reach a total.
• Number lines can show how numbers are partitioned.
• Tens frames can be used to organise objects and easily recognise totals.
• Using doubles and near-doubles strategies to add or subtract numbers and reach the total.
• Using the "combinations for ten" strategies to work out totals.

How to play

This launch activity does not use scoring or points. There are ten rounds per level, but endless play is possible.

1. 1.The teacher chooses a level to play.
   • Level 1: Add two or three numbers.
   • Level 2: Add four or five numbers.
2. 2.Thundergoats will rain down from the sky (e.g. 3 goats). Each goat has a number.
3. 3.The class needs to add the numbers together and then enter the total. If they know the total immediately, they can enter their answer straight away — however, the aim of the activity is to consider different strategies you might use to add these numbers together in an efficient way.
4. 4.There are several features and functions that can be used at any time to help demonstrate the strategies:
5. 5.Rearrange the position of the goats — e.g. If the numbers are 9, 6 and 1, you can move the 1 next to the 9. "9 +1 = 10, and 10+6 = 16."
6. 6.Turn on interactive Tens Frames for all goats — Using the above example, you can drag the 1 counter over to the 9 tens frame to make 10. "10 + 6 = 16."
7. 7.Open an interactive number line (for Level 1 only) — Drag each goat's number down to the number line and it will update. The "bridging to 10" principle will be demonstrated on the number line where applicable. Note: You can choose which order you drag the numbers down.
8. 8.Use the discussion slides for "Ten Combos", "Double" and "Near Double". Each one visually explains these strategies.
9. 9.Hints: The interactive displays an icon when the goats are dragged into a Ten Combo, Double or Near Double configuration. These fade after a couple of seconds.

Copyright 

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