Two Truths and a Lie Math Version

Put a Mathematical Twist on a Familiar Game

Call it anything you want: Two Truths and a Fib, Two Facts and a Falsehood, or Two Facts and one False Fact; the math version of this game is just as fun as the original.

Get Ready!

Prepare paper strips of a size that works for your class. Older students might not need large print, whereas younger students might. You might want to repurpose these facts to create a display later on. There are a few variables to consider. If you want your students to end up with a bunch of practice facts, consider storing them in folders, or pasting them to printer paper (yes, the irony is real),  or use a hole punch in each corner to string them together.

Create some guidelines for writing number facts based on the Common Core State Standards, your school district standards, your state standards or the skills that have been studied recently.

Gather some familiar manipulatives that can be used as needed to sort the facts from the fakes quickly. Match the manipulatives to the type of equations being written and the level of your students.

Get Set!

Give each student three strips of paper and a marker. Yes, a marker. Doing math with a marker can heighten a student’s focus. Many students become more mindful when using markers in math. Have extra paper ready. (Many students; not all of them.) Explain that they will write addition or subtraction facts up to twenty – or whatever parameters you have set. Let each student write three math facts. Well, actually, have them write Two Facts and a Fake.

Swap the markers for pencils. Have students write their names on each of their three papers. Consider having them double check their work, or even trade with a  neighbor to make sure the game will start off on the right foot so to speak. Alternatively, the number sentences will be put to the test in the first two rounds. Either way, be prepared for some disagreement.

Create two groups of students; those that remain in place and those who move after two rounds. Then pair them up so students from each group are together.

PLAY MATH!

The first student shares their three number sentences. The second student identifies the correct facts and the fake. Then they sign their initials on the back of the papers. Any disagreements should be recalculated as a team right away. A round cannot end until everyone agrees on the accuracy of each math sentence – yes, even the fakes.

After round one, the pair of students changes roles. Again save time for recalculating any number sentences as needed.

After each even round, have those students in the moving group rotate to the next spot. Depending on how much time you have, let students play until all the pairs that can be made were able to play each other. With less time, end after an even round,

Variations

• Reuse as individual practice facts. Let each student collect more and more accurate math facts after each game. Have them write the fake fact so as to make it true. When it is time to practice, they can fold back the answers, and then run through their stack until they get them all right. Send them home for more practice.
• Reuse as practice facts for the entire class. After each game, sort out the fakes. Consider having the students rewrite the fakes into facts. If there are a lot of the same facts you might want to create some sets of practice facts. Staple along the edge or bind the paper strips some other way. Have them accessible for independent work.
• Save all the paper strips exactly as they are. Paper clip into groups of three: two facts and a fake. Arrange a desk and a couple chairs in the back of the room. Have the facts and manipulatives ready. When a student is free they can sign up to play. Have a timer if needed. This could be a free time choice or end of math class option.
• After each game, have students write the fakes as facts. Collect the papers and sort into three to five groups. Invite students to borrow a group and sort the math facts into rows, columns, groups, sunflowers, or designs that make sense to them. They could ‘put the ones that are alike together’.  Ask a volunteer to help. Have them ask the students to explain their reasoning. This could be an independent, pair, or small group activity.
• As the collection of math facts grows sort the papers so that there is only one copy of each fact. Check off the facts you have and the facts that haven’t been written yet. Invite some students to create the missing facts. Hand these out the next time your class gets ready to play Two Facts and a Fake.
• Create a Two Facts and a Fake display. For each of the three number sentences, hide one of the signs or numbers. Invite your students to copy the display (or provide them with a copy) and let them fill in the missing information  so that two of the number sentences are true and one isn’t. Post each student’s paper around the display. Have the rest of the class initial the papers that they agree with. Use different facts each week.