The Change Game

The Change Game provides extensive practice with exchanging in a game format, building the fluency needed for dynamic addition and subtraction.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Mathematics
• Learning area: Decimal System
• Level: Ages 4-6

Objectives

• Practice multi-category exchanging
• Build fluency with the decimal system
• Prepare for dynamic operations

Materials

• Golden Beads: large supply
• Large numeral cards
• Dice or spinner
• Tray

Instructions

1. Roll dice to get units (e.g. 7). 2. Take 7 unit beads from bank. 3. Roll again (e.g. 5). Take 5 more units. 4. 'Now you have 12 units. Too many! Exchange!' 5. Trade 10 units for 1 ten. Now have 1 ten, 2 units. 6. Continue rolling and exchanging. 7. First to reach a thousand cube wins!

Educator tip

This game is highly engaging and provides massive amounts of exchanging practice in a fun context.

Assessment

Child exchanges accurately during game play and tracks running total.

More from Mathematics

• Golden Bead Number Dictation
• Static Addition (No Exchanging)
• Multiplication with Golden Beads
• Division with Golden Beads
• Stamp Game Addition
• Stamp Game Subtraction
• Addition Strip Board
• Subtraction Strip Board