Grade 3: Number Sense and Numeration Fall 2015 - Counting

Bonjour! Here is what we have been working on in class from the start of the year until now. Counting: we played a game called 'race for 1,000' using our dice that we made (did I mention we built dice earlier?), and the base-10 mats and blocks. This game could be played at home, you would need some base-10 style blocks - but these could be improvised using lego, checker pieces, etc, provided everyone knows what materials are the 100's, what materials are the 10's, and what materials are the 1's. You also need two dice for the game. Here is a photo of the mat you need (1 mat for each team) and the score sheet (score sheet was used in class, but it's not required for game play):

We played the game in teams of 2 vs 2, but could be played 1 vs 1 also. I will explain the rules as if 1 vs 1. To start: each player rolls two dice to create a 'starting number' (if you start at zero, the game is way too easy!). The player gets to decide what the starting number will be based on their dice roll (for example a 4 and 5 on the dice roll gives you the choice to start at 45 or 54 - you get to pick). Teams place their 'starting number' on their mats using the blocks. Then everyone rolls again and the highest roll gets to start. 

Game Play: on your turn, roll one dice. Based on your dice roll, decide if you want to count up by 1's, 10's, or 100's. Add that number of blocks to your mat. If using the score sheet, fill it out with the 'skips' you did on your roll (each block you add is one 'skip'). You can not go over 1,000 (can play to 500 too instead if you prefer, in which case you can't go over 500). Next player rolls one dice, decides if they will count up by 1's, 10's, or 100's, and adds their blocks to their mat, and fills out the sheet if you are using the sheet. Repeat until one player gets 1,000 EXACTLY - they are the winner. If you can't go, the next player rolls. 

Possible variations: start at 1,000 or 500 and count down with the dice roll (or even use the double dice roll at the start to create 900 or 400 plus the dice roll for a more challenging start number). Amusez-vous! Have fun!