MA 1.06Memory Game of Numbers
In a small group, each child draws a folded numeral slip, remembers the number, and brings that many objects from across the room.
Presentation
- 1
Gather three to six children who know Cards and Counters. Show the basket: 'Each paper has a secret number.'
- 2
Each child draws a slip, reads it silently, refolds it, and places it face down in front of them.
- 3
Say: 'Keep your number in your head. Go and bring that many objects.'
- 4
Children walk to the tray, count their objects, and return, laying them in a row beside their slip.
- 5
In turn, each child opens the slip, reads the number aloud, and the group counts the objects together.
- 6
The child who drew zero has brought nothing. Ask them to explain why.
- 7
Children return objects and slips; play again if interest holds.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Each child brings one kind of object from a different place in the room.
- Each child also writes the numeral on paper beside the objects.
- Once the Teen Boards are known, use slips with numbers to 20.
Control of error
Each child's objects are counted by the group against the slip after every round.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Brings the correct quantity without reopening the slip
- Explains that drawing zero means bringing nothing
- Counts own objects aloud, one number per object, during the group check
Guide note
Do not let children reopen slips at the shelf; remembering the number is the point. Keep each child's objects in a separate row so counts are not mixed.