More and Less

One of the final topics discussed in Chapter 1 of the math textbook, Compare and Sort Objects, was the concept of more and less.  After introduction and review in class, the students in Mrs. DeLorbe's and my math classes joined forces to play a fun game in pairs.  The students were given:

• a "more" card
• a "less" card
• a "more/less" spinner
• 1 set of 10 connecting cubes per person

The concept of the game is to be the first to gain their partner's connecting cubes.  To begin, a student breaks apart their set of 10 cubes into different pieces.  A student could break apart their cubes into sets of 1, a set of 1 and sets of 2, etc.- the possibilites are endless!  The pair of students then chooses 1 set  of each of their connecting cubes and matches them against one another.  Which is more? Which is less?  No cubes can be equal in this game.  Upon deciding who has more and less, they place their cubes on either the "more" or "less" card.  A student then spins the "more/less" spinner.  If the spinner lands on "more", the student whose cubes are on the "more" card takes ALL of the cubes.  If the spinner lands on "less", the student whose cubes are on the "less" card takes ALL of the cubes.  Watch the below video for two students in action playing this game!

Mathematicians playing the "More and Less" Game