• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

teach mama logo

teach mama

helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

quick and easy math game: strike it out!

home / math / numbers / quick and easy math game: strike it out!
12.9K shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

Originally published December 7, 2011, but republishing because it rocks.

I’m always on the hunt for ways to make math more fun over here, especially since math is not my forte.

So when Maddy came home with ‘play game with someone’ as her assignment one day a few weeks ago, I was all for it.

Mommy! I get to play a game for homework tonight! Let’s start it right away!!

Music. To. My. Ears.

strike it out

And the more we played, the more I loved it. And the more we played, the more Owen wanted in on the fun and the more my husband wanted in on the fun.ย  (And I’m betting if there were jewels or glitter somehow involved, I could rope Cora in as well.)

Here’s the skinny:

Quick and Easy Math Game–Strike it Out:

It’s called ‘Strike it Out’ but if you ask me, it’s far from a strikeout. Quick, easy, and a game to be played anywhere, even on the fly? Love it.

The premise is simple: players use the numbers on a number line to try to prevent their opponent from being able to make a move, and moves are made by creating addition or subtraction problems using the available numbers.

easy math game strike it out

1.ย  Start by drawing a number line from 0-20 like this:

easy math game strike it outย 

2.ย  The first player chooses a number on the number line and crosses it out.ย ย 

The same player then chooses a second number and crosses that out, too. Finally, he or she circles the sum or difference of the two numbers and writes down the calculation.

easy math game strike it out3. The second player must start by crossing off the number that player one has just circled.ย  He or she then chooses another number to cross out and then circles a third number which is the sum or difference of the two crossed-off numbers.ย 

Player two also writes down the calculation.

easy math game strike it out

4.ย  Play continues in this way with each player starting with the number that has just been circled.

For example, player one could then have a turn which would leave the game looking like this:

easy math game strike it out

easy math game strike it out

yes! there’s a typo: 20-4= 16 *yikes!*

5. The winner of the game is the player who stops his or her opponent from making a move.

 

Do YOU want this game to use with your children or students? SURE you do!

Huge thanks to the 2nd grade team at our elementary school for โ€˜givingโ€™ us this game!ย  I love, love, love it, and it’s become a sneaky way to get Maddy and Owen playing with numbers and practicing addition and subtraction.ย  These teachers are incredible, and we are so thankful.

 

If you want Strike it Out as a quick and easy printable (with a few blank number lines to use!), it’s here as a pdf: Strike it Out!

Nothing like a game like this to play while waiting in lines, at doctor’s offices, restaurants, or the like!

 

______________________

______________________

Follow us on Instagram: @teachmama1

teachmama on instagram

 

Want a little more math fun?

Check out:

  • 26 puzzle
  • sums in a row
  • fractions with food
  • LEGO baseball
  • math and writing
  • driveway shuffleboard math
  • street sign math
  • mind-blowing math tricks
  • 3 hands-on totally cool math games

Or follow our rockin math pinterest board:

Follow amy mascott @teachmama’s board math on Pinterest.

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are โ€œaffiliate links.โ€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissionโ€™s 16 CFR, Part 255: โ€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.โ€ For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.

You May Also Like...

  • how to prepare your child for kindergarten -- summertime prep
    how to prepare your child for kindergarten -- summertime prep
  • Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
    Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
  • Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
    Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond

About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post: « say NO to teen smoking: Right Decisions, Right Now | teachmama.com cover 2 say NO to teen smoking: Right Decisions, Right Now
Next Post: kid-friendly july 4th treat: flag cake july 4th flag cake »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dana

    December 7, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    fun! always looking for fun creative ways to practice basic facts! btw, any ideas for teaching divisibility rules–’cause you won’t BELIEVE what came home from school ๐Ÿ™

    Reply
    • amy

      December 7, 2011 at 8:40 pm

      OH. MY. GOSH. Dana, seriously? How about you figure out something for divisibility rules and then help me? Sorry, girlfriend. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. ๐Ÿ™‚ Buena suerte!!

      Reply
  2. Brandy

    December 7, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    LOVE the game. Cora sounds like my Jeb. I can rope him into anything if it has a sword or cars or legos involved. Ha!

    Here’s a game Annabelle and I like to play that is similar, but not really: It’s called Euclid’s Game. All you need is a hundred’s chart. We also like playing Nim. It is AMAZING what all both of us have gleaned from playing this game (Euclid’s game) and it’s not just subtraction The patterns and algorithms are so fun to see. Save your game boards so you can compare and contrast what is happening. Seriously, it fun. Here is a site with instructions. So totally easy! We use a game board that has 4 hundreds charts on one page so we can see patterns in math that evolve.

    http://letsplaymath.net/2008/01/26/euclids-game-on-a-hundred-chart/

    http://letsplaymath.net/2007/11/12/hundred-chart-nim/ (this game is fun because it involves strategy…which we love around here!)

    Reply
    • amy

      December 8, 2011 at 9:45 am

      BRANDY! I love you for so many reasons. Thank you thank you thank you for sharing Euclid’s Game (similar but not really!) and the Hundreds Chart Game. I cannot wait to try these with Maddy and Owen. You are so totally awesome. xoxoxo

      Reply
  3. Micaela Williamson

    December 8, 2011 at 7:04 am

    Does your daughter do the Everyday Math curriculum? I taught second grade, and I feel like this was one of their games. I love, love, love Everyday Math, and of course I had to supplement and make my own materials based on class/individual needs, but as a whole, it was my favorite math program. I still have some of my materials and have been saving them for my kids. By nature, I am not math-inclined, but I actually enjoy teaching math more than reading. I wonder why that is!

    Reply
    • amy

      December 8, 2011 at 9:42 am

      Micaela–I’m not sure. I can ask her teacher, though–now I’m curious. That’s so interesting that you enjoy teaching math more than reading!! If you’re up for sharing something that works for your kiddos, let me know!! I need all the help I can get! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Dana

    December 8, 2011 at 7:28 am

    Well could you adopt a kid b’s age so you will get to the bridge sooner?

    Reply
    • amy

      December 8, 2011 at 9:41 am

      ha! How about you figure a little something out for us both? ๐Ÿ™‚ xoxo

      Reply
  5. pl3453 understand th1s

    December 27, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    fun and easy math game | teach mama is a fantastic illustration for article advertising. Article marketing is the particular method of writing and submitting articles for the main goal of integrating anchor backlinks to your website and it is one of many quickest and most effective link building methods around the world.

    Reply
  6. Robin

    June 22, 2014 at 9:51 pm

    Wonderful idea for my bright math girl. Thanks for sharing. Smiles… 20-4=16. Looked like there was a typo: )

    Reply
    • amy mascott

      June 23, 2014 at 11:32 am

      HA!! Yes. . . Robin–good eyes. you’re right. typo!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar

our books & freebies

setting the stage for rock-star readers
raise a reader
amy mascott profile blog
subscribe teachmama

join the coolest club around:

Find Us On Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Helpful Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us On Instagram

View
Open
Itโ€™s absolutely true. 
100%
#Facts

<<Not sure exactly where this image originated. Will credit once I find out.>>

#MyBodyMyChoice #KeepYourLawsOffMyBody
View
Open
My favorite little spot to lay out the mat = โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿงœ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ

Use an emoji to tell me yours. 

remember: it doesnโ€™t matter what you do as long as you move your body in some way each day. Total game changer. Promise. 

For me, walking the ๐Ÿ•โ€๐Ÿฆบ๐Ÿถ and ๐Ÿง˜๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธare daily non-negotiables for my physical AND mental health. 

I do the @melissawoodhealth videos each day, and her upbeat, casual attitude, variety of low-impact strengthening workouts, and reminders to just keep coming back are key. 

#KeepComingBack #WeGotThis #TalkAboutMentalHealth #MWH #MoveYourBody
View
Open
Tell me itโ€™s summertime without telling me itโ€™s summertime. โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿšฒ

#SummerSwimTeam #SweetRides #neighborhoodkids #MarylandLife #ThisIsSummer #tanterratarpons
View
Open
Did you get it? 

Have to ask because there just *may* be a secret surprise giveaway for some of you lucky ๐Ÿฆ† ๐Ÿฆ†๐Ÿฆ†

Join now: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#TeachmamaTake5  #iykyk #Take5 #BestoftheWeb #familyfun #educatornews #linkinbio
View
Open
This book is SO different from any other I have read in the recent past, and itโ€™s something that is both refreshing and hopeful. 

My friend @techninjatodd wanted to put out a book that would be a source of hope, a reminder that we are not alone. A testament to the fact that every season of life matters. 

And so, In This Season: Words From the Heart was born, with help from the amazing @apron_education @allylee21 @writtentospeak @omar2764

โ„๏ธโ„๏ธโ„๏ธโ„๏ธ

Life is full of seasons.

Each of us has endured the cold of winter, the growth of spring, the light of summer, and the change of fall. Weโ€™ve climbed to the mountaintops and been deep in the valley.

In This Season: Words for the Heart takes the emotions we feel deep within and puts them into words. The pages of this book invite you to reflect and lean in as you continue through season after season.

๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŒธ

Check this book out, friends. It is worth your time, and it is the perfect book for busy educators to pick up, read a few pages over a quick cup of coffee before the day begins or as you kick up your feet at the end of the day. 

It feels like a quiet conversation with a close friend or dear colleague. Important topics are touched on which remind us that our feelings and thoughts and insecurities are often not as unusual as we may think. Rather, these ups and downs of life are a shared experience that couldโ€”and should!โ€”be shared more frequently and openly. The reminder that we are not alone could not come at a more pivotal time for all of us; in the past two years, we have been reminded that life is short but that seasons change. Letโ€™s make the most of what we have!

Thank you, Todd, LaNesha, Tanner, and Alice for starting this conversation. 

โ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธโ˜€๏ธ

Grab it here: https://amzn.to/3O4jMqN

And do follow these great writers, educators, and thought leaders. 

๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ

#InThisSeason #linkinbio #newrelease #whatimreading #beachreads #teacherauthor #mustreadbooks
View
Open
What better time than NEXT WEEK to have the biggest and baddest sale of summer 
โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿš๐ŸŒด๐ŸŒŠ?!

WOOO-hoooooo!

Stay tuned for more: 
zulily.gfpv.net/teachmama

#zulilyfinds #zulilypartner #zulilywowweek #teachmamadealsandsteals
View
Open
THANK YOU @reallygreatreading for the 2-part 6-hr workshop, Bringing the โ€˜Science of Readingโ€™ to Life in the Classroomโ€”

This program is amazing, life-changing, and exciting. I cannot wait to use these strategies and program with my students this summer!

Educators and familiesโ€”check out the resources on this site. Phenomenal. 

Makes me so happy. 

#TeachReading #RaiseAReader #ReallyGreatReading #OnlinePD
View
Open
We have a gun violence crisis in America that kills more than 110 people each day, and itโ€™s past time that the U.S. Senate does something about it.

Call your senators and demand they #DontLookAway from this crisis: 

Text BOLD to 644-33 and @everytown will connect you.

#UseYourVoice #NotOneMore
View
Open
Do you know what culturally responsive teaching looks like? 

Can you imagine what culturally responsive teaching should look like when it comes to our special learners? 

Join me on Monday, June 6 at 8pm ET on Facebook as I chat with educator and founder of @atypicalfamily , *Lisa Quinones* and Special Education Advocate and Lobbyist, *Lisa Lightner* of @lisa.lightner.ig A Day In Our Shoes.

We will be chatting about the impact of culture on students' learning and its implications on the special education classroom.

I cannot wait. It'll be short--but it'll be packed with info. Bring your questions and join us!

Find us here: https://www.facebook.com/teachmama

Thank you to @advancementcourses for bringing us together!

#linkinbio @teAChTeam #culturallyresponsiveteaching #specialeducationteacher

Copyright © 2022 · teach mama media, llc · All Rights Reserved

  • 184
12.9K shares