190
Top-It Card Games
Objective
To introduce a game that reinforces number
recognition and number comparisons.
Whole Group
Small Group
Partners
Center
Key Concepts and Skills
• Read numbers. [Number and Numeration Goal 3]
• Compare numbers. [Number and Numeration Goal 6]
Terms to Use more, less, higher, lower
Materials Home Link Master (Math Masters, p. 32); card decks made from two sets of Small Number
Cards 0–20 (Math Masters, pp. 105–107) or the cardstock number cards in the My First Math Books.
A
Core Activities
► Playing Top-It
(Math Masters, pp. 105–107)
Show children the card decks and explain that each deck has two of each of the numbers
0–20. Pick two cards from a deck. Have children say the numbers and tell you which
number is more and which is less. Ask children to share how they knew which number
was higher. (If children don’t share them, model strategies such as checking the number
line or counting out loud.) Repeat this warm-up activity a few times before teaching how
to play Top It. (You may remember the game as War.)
Give each pair of children a shuffled card deck. Direct them to divide the deck so that
each child has the same number of cards. Have them place their stacks facedown on the
table or desk, turn over the top card, and read the numbers. The player with the larger
number takes both cards. If players have the same number, they turn over and compare
the next card on their stacks until someone wins the round and takes all the cards.
188-221_EMCS_T_GK_TGA_U04_57511X.indd 190
Planning Tip Use two
copies of Math Masters, pages
105–107, cut and laminated or
mounted on cardstock to prepare
each card deck. (Alternately,
combine sets of the cardstock
number cards in the My First
Math Books.) You may want to
combine some of the decks you
made for Activity 3-9. Each pair of
children will need a deck of cards,
so you may want to teach the
game in small groups.
Adjusting
the Activity
Provide counters or cards with
dots and numerals for children
who may still need concrete or
visual supports to compare
numbers. Some children may also
benefit from using only numbers
0–10 at first.
AUDITORY KINESTHETIC TACTILE VISUAL
1/25/11 12:33 PM
The winner is the player with the most cards when play stops. Below are variations of
Top-It that you can introduce as children are ready.
Opposite Top-It (or Bottom-It) The smaller number takes the cards.
Top-It with a Spinner Prepare a spinner with sections labeled “Larger” and
Name
Top-It
Family
Note
Top-It reinforces number recognition and helps children learn to compare two numbers to
decide which one is greater or less. (You may remember this game as War.)
䉬
“Smaller.” Players spin before each round to decide which number takes the cards.
Number cards from school or a deck of cards
Players
2
Skill
Compare numbers
Directions
1. Shuffle a deck of cards and then divide it between two players, turning the cards
facedown on the table.
2. Players turn over their top cards and read the numbers aloud.
3. The player with the greater number keeps both cards.
If both players get the same number, they turn over the next card on their stacks until one
player wins and takes all the cards for that round.
Play Top-It with someone in your family.
Copyright © Wright Group/McGraw-Hill
Home Link 4 2
Materials
Object of the Game Collect the higher number of cards
Top-It Using Higher Numbers Use decks with numbers above 20.
Children can play a computer version of Top-It using Everyday Mathematics
EM Games.
Date
42
HOME LINK
(Math Masters, p. 32)
Children teach a family member how to play Top-It.
► Skip Counting by 10s (Revisit Activities 1 12 and 3 15, pp. 68 and 170)
Play Give the Next Number, but have children count by 10s rather than 1s. (Be sure all
of the “10s” are highlighted on your Growing Number Line for reference, as needed.)
B
Math Masters, p. 32
Teaching Options
ENRICHMENT
► Playing Addition Top-It
(Center Activity Cards, 16)
Children add the numbers on two overturned cards; the higher sum wins. (Begin with
0–5 cards and gradually increase numbers.) Dots on the cards can help with addition.
See Project 3, Fun with Games, for other addition and subtraction games.
EXTRA PRACTICE
► Playing Number Card Games
In addition to the Top-It variations, provide card games such as Go Fish. Also encourage
children to play the card games from Activity 3-9, page 158.
191
32
Ongoing
Assessment:
Recognizing Student
Achievement
Use Top-It to assess children’s
ability to identify the smaller and
larger number in a pair. Children
are making adequate progress if
they can do this for the numbers
0–20. Some children may be
able to compare larger numbers.
[Number and Numeration Goal 6]
Activity 4 2 Top-It Card Games
188-221_EMCS_T_GK_TGA_U04_57511X.indd 191
1/25/11 12:33 PM