Decimal Bingo Game

It's easy for bingo-type games to overtake mathematics... so I tend to avoid them! However, there are exceptions. This one gives children plenty of practice adding decimals and doesn't feel like it relies too much on chance. The children can use a host of mental math strategies while playing (it's not just a 'hunt and cover' game) and the whole thing feels more exciting and logical than most bingo/maths games.

Playing in a group, each child has their own 'Decimals board' and a set of counters. Each 'Decimal board' displays a set of 14 decimal numbers.

A number of digit cards are shuffled and placed face-down in the middle of the group.

Everyone takes it in turns to turn over a digit card (these display either 1, 1.5 or 2). As soon as the card is shown everyone checks their board to see if they can form the number displayed by adding together any two decimals on their board. If they can, the cover both numbers with counters.

Play continues until someone is fortunate enough to fill their board with counters.

Example:

In response to a '1', Joe played counters on 0.4 and 0.6 (green)

In response to a '1.5', he played 1.3 and 0.2 (orange)

In response to '2', he played 1.2 and 0.8 (blue)

[The colours are used here only for clarification]

Naturally, the children should be encouraged to talk about the sums they are creating. They could record their work too - but this is not necessary.

The downloadable file* features:

• six different boards with one decimal place (0.1 to 1.9)
• six different boards with two decimal places (0.01 to 1.99)
• nine digit cards (1, 1, 1, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 2, 2)

Note: As usual, the rules can be easily adapted. The digit cards could also be replaced by a spinner or marked dice.

mathsticks+ members will be able to access an editable (.docx) version of this maths resource.

Please let me know how the game works for you. It is based on one I used several years ago for number bonds to 100.