A child stands facing the class and says: “I am thinking of two numbers
which make nine. What are they?” One child may ask: “Are they seven
and two?” Another may ask: “Are they four and five?” The child keeps
standing until the right answer is given. Another child stands and says
to the class: “Of what am I now thinking in the table of twos?” In the
same way as stated above, the other pupils may guess until correct
answer is given.
Take a large square of cardboard and cut nine holes, each 6 inches in
diameter numbering them from 1 to 9 inclusive. Have the children toss
bean bags at the holes, and count score by the numbers of the holes
through which the bags fall. This would be good to use in the 3rd grade
in learning the multiplication tables by giving each child two trials
and multiplying the two results. In the 1st grade it could be used for
simple addition.
Place from ten to fifteen simple examples on the board. As soon as a
child begins adding, subtracting, or multiplying, which ever the case
may be, he continues until he makes a mistake, when another pupil helps
him and he continues. The child finishing with the fewest mistakes and
the least number of minutes wins.
Materials--A large box of colored beads or other interesting
counting material. A smaller box or tray for each child might help.
Description--Each child is given or takes the number of beads
representing the largest number to be reviewed. One child presents
a closed hand to another saying: “How many beads in my hand?” The
child so addressed may answer any number not larger than the amount
agreed upon. His guess results in forfeits. A correct guess gives him
the entire contents of the closed hand. If his guess is too large he
must place in the hand as many more as are needed to make the number
guessed. If his guess is too small he must place in the large box the
difference between his guess and the hand. The game continues. The
object is to see who has the most beads at the end. After the children
know combinations this game may be played in pairs at the desks for
seat work.