Going to the Moon Game

I’m Going to the Moon! 

Would you like to come along? I hope so. Think carefully about this list of items I’m bringing with me, so you can figure out how to join the adventure. (Kids love this game.)(I do, too.)

I’m going to the moon, and I’m bringing:

• 48 divided by two
• Eight times three – and
• One-third of 72.

Would you like to come? I’ll give you 1 minute to list some things you could bring.

Start Simple so Everyone can Catch on

The game always begins with the phrase, “I’m going to ~” the moon, a party, a football game, the forest, or wherever. Then list some items that you are going to bring, buy, see, find or do at that location. Have an easy set of criteria by which you choose items to include.  Here are some ideas to use in math class:

• Numbers that add to 50.
• Even (or odd) numbers.
• Numbers that include the digit 3.
• Mathematical expressions equivalent to 24.
• And so on.

Who Would Like to Come to the Moon with Me?

I’ll come! Could I bring two groups of ten and four ones?

 Wilma wants to bring 2 tens and 4 ones, could she come to the moon with me? (Your well trained class signals with thumbs up or thumbs down to show their thinking.) Yes, Wilma you could bring 2 groups of ten and four ones, what else could you bring?

Could I bring 30 minus 6?

Well, class?

Offer Support to Everyone

In order to support students who are shy, learning English, late to class, reluctant at math, new to logic games, or in need of a boost, list items that fit the criteria where everyone can view them. Review the list frequently. Give every one thinking time to create their own list. Let some students work in pairs. Invite each person to agree or disagree with suggestions. By having the class evaluate contributions of others, you can see who knows the rules, who doesn’t and who is getting close to figuring out the rules. I say:

Thumbs up for YES

Thumbs down for NO

In the middle for I DON’T KNOW

Wilma and I are Going to the Moon, Who Wants to Come With Us?

We, do! Could we bring six times four?

Yes, you could bring six times four.  Could you bring ten plus twelve?

(They confer.) No. But, could we bring ten plus twelve plus two?

Hmm, interesting.  Yes, yes you could.

Challenge Everyone, Gently

The fun parts of this game are thinking of new and exciting ways to describe what you want to bring, and evaluating the ideas of others. So, you can carry on playing even after it is very clear that everyone knows what sort of thing to bring. In fact, playing the same game for a while gives your students plenty of time to think up loads of expressions that meet the criteria. Once students are comfortable with the task, you can begin asking for more complex answers. After students offer a correct solution and you are certain they know the rule, ask them to evaluate another expression. Use this technique to provide counterexamples, in other words, expressions that will not work. The student in the spotlight will have some fun thinking through a new example, and the students still working out the rule will have a clearer picture of what is or is not a correct response.

Another gentle challenge is to invite those who wish to include a skill or concept your class is currently studying.

• Try using fractions in your suggestion.
• What if you make an expression using prime numbers?
• Find a way to include a double in your expression, if you want.
• Who could write a word problem to come with us?
• Consider something that uses multiplication or division.

We’re going to the Moon.

We’re bringing 10+12+2, 6×4, 30-6, and 8×3.

If you want to come with us, you might consider using expanded notation, base two, geometry, Spanish, clapping, everyday language (would you accept twice double six?), treasure maps, puzzles, hidden pictures, hours of fun or using every last second of class time to build mathematical reasoning.

I’m Going to ~ Get You Started

I’m bringing a microscope, division by 100, and minus two…. (ways to reduce numbers).

I have found one acorn, two boats, three cars, and four dinosaurs… (counting numbers and alphabetical objects).

I bought a pearl, a globe, an orange, Venus (or any planet) the sun, a basketball… (spheres).

I’m bringing a yardstick, a sand timer, a tablespoon, a teaspoon, a sundial, a pedometer, a smart phone, (ways to measure).

Enjoy more math games!