Number games are appropriate for all students at any level in the language classroom. Numbers are often used in daily conversations but forgotten to be practiced after they have been taught in the classroom. Just ask your upper-level students to tell you their student ID number or phone number on the spot. You will be surprised to see that many of them need to pause in order to accomplish this task. This is why number games are appropriate for any language level.
If you have 10 minutes at the end of a class period or if you want to break up the monotony of the day, try incorporating these games into your class routine. You can even use these number games as a warm-up. Most are quick and easy to use, take little to no prep time, and are beneficial to all students regardless of the level they are in or the number of students in your classroom.
Tens
This is a simple game that takes zero prep time. It can be played immediately after numbers have been taught or as a review. It is a quick way to gauge what students have learned. It is meant to be played with a large number of students but it can also be done in smaller circles to move the game along.
Choose any number group you want to work with like 1 – 10 or 20 – 50. For the sake of this explanation, I will use numbers 1 – 10.
- Circle students up around the room.
- Choose one student to start the game with the number 1.
- The next student signs 2 then the next 3 and so on until a student signs the number 10.
- The student that is unfortunate enough to sign the number 10, is out. They kneel or sit on the ground so they can still see the game but are not an active member.
- If a student signs incorrectly or is out of order, they are also out and the player to their left must sign the number accurately. Play continues to ten…
You can modify this game to work with any set of numbers you are working on choosing a specific number to be the “out” number. For example, if “two” was the number, anyone signing 2, 12, 22, 32, etc. would be out. You can even count by 5’s or 10’s. It is a very quick counting game.
Human Bingo
Set your classroom up as a human BINGO board. Give each student a position on the board (5 in the B row, 5 in the I row, etc.) and a number that they see and can’t tell anyone else. Have a group of students call out the numbers from the front of the room. These will be students not part of the human board. If the student’s number is called they kneel down. The goal is to get 5 in a row in the least amount of calls. Switch the students from callers to the human board in order to practice receptive and expressive skills.
Break the Code
Break the code is a great receptive practice for students. It uses the manual alphabet and numbers in any group you want to practice. This game does require some prep time, however, once it is set up, you can use it year after year. Write the alphabet on the board and assign a number to each letter. For example, use numbers 20 – 45 where A = 20 and Z = 45.
- Prepare your codes using words from your current unit or a review.
- Sign your number code to the class and allow them time to process it.
- Call on a student to give you the word.
You can change up the numbers to practice a specific sequence or group of numbers. You can make it easier by using smaller numbers and more difficult by using larger numbers. So your code would look like this:
If you keep to
35 – 28 – 24 = PIE
38-27-28-37-39 = SHIRT
Get 9 different codes already made here.
Raffle Ticket
This fun activity was shared with me by my Spanish colleagues. Give each student a raffle ticket as they enter the classroom. If you don’t have double tickets (2 tickets with the same number) you will want to cut the raffle ticket in half. Draw a number and sign it out. Have students come forward to receive a little reward like a piece of candy, a pencil, a homework pass, or a trinket of some type. You can also make your own tickets or buy some here cheaper that you can print and use over and over again.
Blue Double Raffle Ticket Roll 2000
Printable 72 count raffle tickets
Depending on what level and what numbers you are using will determine how to call out the number. For lower levels, you will want single digits 1-2-3-4-5. For the upper- levels you might want to use 12, 345 instead of single numbers.
Phone Numbers
This is probably one of the most important uses of number as everyone exchanges numbers in today’s society. You will be surprised at how many students need to review this skill. It really isn’t a fancy game but it is a practical way to use numbers.
Allow students time to practice putting their number together. Maybe give one minute to practice and prepare. Then set a timer for 3 minutes and see who can gather the most phone numbers accurately in the allotted time. Whoever has the most numbers should come to the front of the room, retell the numbers to check for accuracy and of course get some expressive practice in.
Conclusion
I would love to know which one of these games you are going to try first. Feel free to leave a comment here or join the conversation in the Creative ASL Teaching Facebook group.
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