Maths S2 Number: Dice games

Game #1

Materials:
1 die per student
One set of 15 cards, numbered 3 to 18, per group of 2-3 students. Keep together with a paper clip.

Students divide into groups of 2 or 3. Each group gets 3 dice and a set of cards.
Students take it in turns to roll the dice. They add up the faces of the dice and take the card with that number. Play passes to the left. If the total that the student rolls  has been taken, they don't get a card for that round. The winner is the student with the most cards when all cards have been taken.

Good Points:
Other students in the group tend to add the numbers up too, to check whether the right card has been drawn.
Can be changed to 2 dice for multiplication. Dice with more faces can be used for multiplication beyond 6.
Good to have a set of 3 large dice for demonstration of the game, but not essential.

Game #2
Whole class sits in a circle. Teacher holds two large dice, and passes one to the right of her and one to the left. On the count of three, the students roll the dice and add up the total. The first to call out the total holds on to their die, while the other students passes their die along away from the teacher.

Good points:
A good game for the end of the lesson as it can go as long as necessary.
Can be changed to multiplication.
Other students in the class also add the numbers in their heads to see if the students were right. But not all will do this.
Bad points:
Students who are good at adding tend to hog the die whereas students who need more practice tend to get less time with it. Students who are less strong may be less confident in calling out the answer and get 'rewarded' for not trying with not having to try further.