Face Co-ordinates Game

There are numerous effective ways of practising using grid references and co-ordinates. This one is based on the game of battleships. However, unlike battleships, this game involves an element of luck (through the use of two specific dice). This additional element means that all children have a chance of winning.

You will need a traditional 1-6 dice and another showing the letters A to E; this can easily be made from a blank dice, or a spinner could be used instead. The players also need a handful of counters each.

There are two game-boards,* each with a grid of 36 faces. Thje first board, however has numeric grid references on the y axis and letters along the x axis. The second board has only numeric grid references.

The children take it in turns to roll the dice and place a counter on the board, the faces of the dice determine the co-ordinates where their counter can go.

Counters can be replaced if the space is already occupied.

For example, Alan, Bethany and Carl play the game using green, yellow and red counters. Alan rolls A2 and places his green counter accordingly.

Bethany now rolls D3 and places her yellow counter on the board.

When Carl rolls A2 he places his red counter there - replacing Alan's earlier counter.

Play continues until one player manages to create a square or a line four connected counters:

Alternative versions

• Use four dice, two A-E and two 1-6, players roll all four and choose which two to use when placing a counter.
• Players may not occupy a co-ordinate if it already contains a counter, instead they should roll again ... or ... miss a go!
• Use two 1-6 dice and the second game-board. On each roll, players may choose which dice to consider as the x axis and which the y axis.

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