Subtraction Strategy Game for Basic Fact Practice & Number Fluency - One Step

Subtraction Strategy Game - One Step is a series of seven game boards designed to encourage students to practice efficient strategies for solving subtraction algorithms. As a bonus, the game requires the students to consider the best tactical strategies to win the game.

Students move their counters one step at a time on the game board and provide the correct solution to the algorithm on the ellipse they landed on. The object of the game is for one player to get all their counters to their opponent’s home base.

Aim:

Through game play and discussion students will come to appreciate the many and varied strategies that can be to use to solve subtraction algorithms.

What You Need:

2 players
1 game board
5 counters of one colour
5 counters of a different colour

How to Play:

1. Play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide which player will go first. (Or Scissors, Paper, Rock, Lizard, Spock for the Big Bang Theory fans) hehehe
2. Player 1 chooses which side of the board will be their home base.
3. Player 1 and Player 2 place all 5 counters of their counters on the red or yellow home base positions.
4. Player 1 begins the game by moving one of their counters ‘one step' then’ saying the answer algorithm underneath the counter. If the answer is correct they remain on the game space, if incorrect the counter moves back to its previous position.

Possible Playing Option:

Part of the game play could be for students to orally recount the strategy they used to arrive at the answer e.g. 'I used my knowledge of Addition Facts to solve this.' 'I counted backwards two' Decide this based on student need.

5. Player 2 takes their turn to move ‘one step’ and solve the algorithm.

6. Players are only permitted to move backwards and forwards, they cannot jump over or land on their opponent’s counter. This is where strategy comes into play as there will be times an opponent’s counter will be blocking a movement.

7. Play continues in this turnabout fashion until the game is won.

How to Win:

The winner is the first player to have all 5 of their counters on their opponent’s home base positions and have correctly answered all home base algorithms.

Included in this Download:
- 7 Full Colour Boards
- 7 Low Colour Boards
- 1 Set for Game Rules
- 1 Set of Teaching Notes
- 1 PowerPoint file displaying all Colour Boards for easy discussion and game introduction.

Ideas for Before the Game: Included
Ideas for During the Game: Included
Ideas for Possible Extension Activities: Included
Ideas for After the Game: Included

Enjoy!

Adrian Bruce