A while ago, I got this email from a teacher called 'K'.
Tough call! This site does have some large group games, but not many that fit her criteria
- Mixed age group
- Kids must remain seated
- Not too loud
Then, I thought, K may have already provided the answer! Why not play a math-themed game of hangman? The unknown 'words' would all be mathematical in nature - names of shapes and other concepts, or even arithmetic sums. For example, the teacher might decide the hidden 'word' is 1+2+3+4=10, and write this on the board :
After guessing a few letters wrongly, maybe, the students would guess '1'. Then the teacher would write all the ones.
Since they know it's a sum, the kids now get clever, and guess '=', then '+'
After that, it's just trial and error - and a bit of mental arithmetic - before the whole sum comes out!
Of course, hangman need not be played only in a large group. It wouldn't surprise me if the kids in K's care start playing math hangman between themselves during recess.
Some tips :
- If your 'words' are all arithmetic sums, you should reduce the number of mistakes a player can make. 'Three strikes and you're out' would be reasonable. Perhaps this game should be called 'math baseball' instead?
- K didn't explain how she plays hangman with a large group of kids, but you could do it like this :
- Write the puzzle on the blackboard (or whiteboard)
- Ask for guesses, and make the children raise their hands before they are allowed to guess.
- Choose who can guess in such a way that everyone (eventually) has a fair opportunity to try.
Anyway, huge thanks to K, for the idea, and I'm sorry I didn't reply directly. Your email came through with no return address!
Yours, Dr Mike.
Games