Math Monday: Snail Races

 

Independent math games are pretty popular around here. We have a variety on hand so the kids can challenge and occupy themselves with number practice, be it counting, addition/subtraction or multiplication. We found Snail Races in the book Family Math by Grace Coates and Virginia Thompson.

 

Snails in rows are numbered one through twelve. The object of the game is to roll two die and add them up. Place a marker at the snail that matches the sum. The snail that has all of their circles completed first, wins their pick of the garden veggies.

 

First we asked Miss C what are the highest and lowest sums you can roll with two die. She decided that Snail One was not useful-since you cannot roll less than two with double die. However, for a younger set practicing counting, you can use one die and have the snails go up to six.

She noted each of the snails facial expressions would predict the winner and the most frustrated, most exhausted etc. snail!