Number Skills: Off-screen and Hands-on!
(3 minute read)
At Teach Your Monster, we’re always looking for new ways to get more monster time in our day. So we thought about how great it would be to have some monster time without having to be on-screen - that’s where our printable resources come in. But just how to get the games off the screen and on to paper…?
We wanted to try this with our Number Skills minigames, adapting them into fun, hands-on activities that could be played either in the classroom or at home.
Drawing on my knowledge of the Kagan Cooperative Learning principle of ‘creating cooperative learning opportunities’ for kids, whilst sticking to the Teach Your Monster belief that learning should be both enjoyable and educational, making these activities into playable partner games seemed like a natural fit.
To begin, I used the original game graphics, simplifying them for easier understanding and to ensure they could be printed efficiently. Then it was onto the task of tackling the game mechanics and adapting them for a non-digital format. The transition from screen-based games to paper-and-counter versions required thoughtful consideration, especially when it came to keeping the spirit of the games intact.
One example of this is the Rollercoaster Game, which focuses on number bonds to 10. In its original digital minigame, one player would be presented with a choice of two numbers in order to complete the number bond to make a number up to 10.
In the paper version, a more collaborative approach was needed. One partner chooses a number for the other to create inside the number frame using counters. This setup adds a greater element of problem-solving, making the experience slightly more challenging. Thankfully, with two brains working together, this challenge becomes a fun and cooperative task!
As well as the Rollercoaster Game Number Bonds to 10, some of our other minigames have been adapted into partner games too:
Bumper Cars Game Numbers to 10 - This game helps students practice recognising numbers to 10 using printable sheets and counters. It’s perfect for reinforcing foundational math skills in a hands-on way.
Monster Trucks Game Numbers to 20 - Like bumper cars, but with higher numbers! This activity helps children practice counting to 20.
Rollercoaster Number Bonds to 20 - A continuation of the original Rollercoaster Game, this version challenges students to practice number bonds to 20. Again, the game is designed to be played with a partner, reinforcing teamwork and collaboration.
Dino Dash Arrays Game - practice arrays in a fun and engaging way. Based on the popular Dino Dash minigame, it can be played with printable resources to help children visualize and understand the concept of arrays.
Kay Leathers, freelance consultant for Teach Your Monster and ex-primary school teacher!