Halloween Addition & Subtraction Game
Tac Tix
Subtraction Game for Halloween
Addition Game & Subtraction Game in One:
This Addition Game is also a Subtraction Game with a Halloween theme. Tac-Tix is a game designed to enable students to practice strategies for adding and subtracting in the range of 10 to 100. It also encourages experiments with logical and strategic thinking. It is a strategic thinking game for two players. Each player takes turns to remove a counter or counters from the board. The winner of the game is the one who forces their opponent to remove the last counter.
What you Need:
2 players
1 game board
16 counters
Preparation:
– Place 16 counters over the numbers on the board.
– Decide on the number to practice adding or subtracting e.g. If 10 is selected then 10 is added or subtracted to each number when uncovered.
Subtraction Game – Printer Friendly Versions
How to Win:
– Force your opponent to remove the last counter.
How to Play:
1. The person with the longest little finger goes first. Take turns going first in the following games.
2. Player 1 removes 1, 2, 3, or 4 adjacent (side by side) counters from along one of the straight lines. The player then answers the algorithms revealed.
NB A player may not remove a series of pieces if there is an empty space between the pieces.
3. Player 2 then does the same.
4. Play continues until one player is forced to remove the last counter.
Subtraction Game – PowerPoint Version
Variations:
– Only answer the last algorithm revealed by each player on their turn.
– Change the number to be added or subtracted e.g. 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 8, 11, etc
To Note:
– I like starting this game by adding and subtracting 10 then move on to other numbers.
Before the Game:
• Use the Hundreds Chart to explore patterns for adding and subtracting ten from a number and other strategies.
• Discuss possible efficient strategies for adding & subtracting 10 and other numbers
During the Game:
– Monitor the players to see which strategies they are using.
After the Game:
– Where to next?
18 Game Boards Available
Extension:
– Mathematicians have studied this game for a very long time and have figured out there is a way for the person who moves second to always win. Try to discover this method.
Hint: The winning strategy has something to do with removing pieces that are ‘symmetrically opposite’.
– Search the Internet for an online version of this game i.e. Play this game against a
computer.
– Design your own five by five or six by six board Tic Tax board.
Included in this Printable Game Download:
6 full-color game boards with different number arrangements
6 low color game boards with different number arrangements
1 PowerPoint Version of all the Game Boards for Easy Game Introduction & Number Talks
1 set of rules and teaching notes
Enjoy!!!
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