Four Go
This game gives children the opportunity to estimate answers to
calculations in a motivating context and gives plenty of practice
in multiplication and division. (Of course the numbers and the
number line could be adapted to suit the level of your class.) As
they play, encourage pairs to talk to each other about the numbers
and operations they are choosing, and why. You should find that if
each child wants to win, they will automatically scrutinise the
answers of their opponent carefully and this means that the pupils
will be required to explain and justify their thinking, and to
check their own calculations thoroughly. You might also wish to
have calculators available. There is also scope here for the
children themselves to make decisions about the rules of the game.
For example, will they allow a player to multiply or divide a
number by itself, or must the two numbers chosen be
different?