TIMES SQUARE: print out one game board, and put it in a sheet
protector. See directions for play.
GETTING SET:
1) Print out one TIME SQUARE game board— you’ll see it’s a blank multiplication table— and put in a sheet protector. Using ‘card stock’ paper
will make for a stronger board.
2) Print out 2 copies of the ‘master sheet’, which shows all the *answers*
to the multiplication problems shown on the table— one will be a ‘checking’ copy, which you should also put in a sheet protector. With the second copy, cut out all the *white* numbers (the answers to all the multiplication problems shown on the table), and store them in a small ziploc
baggie or small envelope. For storage just slip it into the sheet protector
for the game board. Using ‘card stock’ will make for stronger number
cards for easier play, and a longer lasting game.
TO PLAY:
1) Each player picks 5 number cards at random from the little baggie or
envelope of ‘answers’, and lays them out on the table in front of himself.
If players are all very skilled, they may want to keep cards ‘secret’, but if
new to the game, don’t worry about this.
2) One player is selected to start the game, and he puts one number card
on the board in the correct place to be the answer to a given multiplication problem. Some cards could go in several places. For example: the
number card ‘30’ could go in 6x5, 5x6, or 3x10 or 10x3. The number card
‘24’ could go on 3x8, 4x6, 6x4, or 8x3. Some cards only have one location: ‘49’ is only the answer to 7x7.
3) The next player then tries to play one of his cards— BUT the rule is his
card must touch the first card: up above it, side to side, below, or even
diagonally. If he does not have a card that will work, he draws another
card, and play passes to the first player.
4) The first player now tries to play another card, just as the second
player did, building on the cards already on the board. Play continues
until one player is out of all cards.
BENEFITS OF THE GAME: Kids need to really think and assess possible
plays— and they need to think *backwards* from the answer back to the
factors.... really in a sense they are doing division. They need to think
flexibly about possible places where they can play their numbers— and
even think about possibly blocking access for their opponent’s numbers.