Calculator Games and Activities

Rather than calculators being used mainly for just checking written calculations, we can begin to see them more effectively as a valuable teaching and learning tool.

Here are a few activities and ideas that hopefully will help you and your students to unleash the potential of calculators in the classroom.

Using the Constant Function Key

This can be done individually, working with a partner, or in small groups.

Using the = button helps the children to develop their counting skills and discover patterns suitable to their current level of development.

Start with this example…

Enter 0 + 5 =, then continue to keep pressing the = button. What is happening?

Now try with other numbers.

Using a number chart (I prefer using a 200 chart at least), place a counter on each number as it comes up on the calculator. This will display a fantastic visual pattern.

For a further challenge, press the = button with your eyes closed, and predict what the next number will be. Ask them to stop when they feel that they are at a given number eg Stop at 65

Other Options…

· Change the starting number

· Count backwards from a given number eg 100 – 2 =, =, =

· Instead of starting at 0 and count by 3’s, start at 4 and count by 3’s etc (forwards and backwards)

· Count by decimals

Countup or Countdown

A game for 2 players.

Choose a number to start counting to, depending on their age and ability.

Eg Infant grades could aim for 10 or 20, older grades start at 30, 40, 50 etc

Starting at zero, take it in turns to add 1, 2 or 3

The player who lands on the Target number is the winner.

Other Options…

· Play to Higher numbers

· Instead of adding 1, 2 or 3, try adding 3 higher consecutive numbers, such as 6, 7, 8

· Start at a higher number and count backwards

· Younger children could play this with counters instead of the calculator, and take away 1, 2 or 3 counters at a time. Be the first to hit zero, or by adding counters, be the first to hit 20.

Target Practice

This is a calculator activity that can be played individually, in pairs or in threes.

Children choose a starting number (which they will multiply) and a Target Number.

They will try and discover what number is needed to multiply the starting number in order to hit the Target number (or as close to it as possible)

Eg: Starting Number is 7 Target Number is 100

Player 1 types in 7 x 9….63

Player 2 tries a bigger number eg 7 x 12…84

Player 1 now tries a bigger number, but needs to be aware that they are getting close to 100

It does not matter if they end up as close as possible before or after the Target number (eg 2 less or 2 more than the target number is still a difference of 2)

What we are looking at here is their estimation skills and mental computation skills.

Other Options…

· Use bigger numbers ( a 2 digit starting number and 3 or 4 digit Target numbers)

· Choose numbers that do not divide evenly eg Even number for a starting number and an Odd Target number

· Do children take the view that an odd number cannot be shared evenly with an even number?

Change My Number

In this activity between two players, they take it in turns to change the digits of a number entered into the calculator.

Player 1 enters in a 3 digit number, eg 652

Player 1 then asks Player 2 to change one of the digits. Can you change the 5 into an 8?

Player 2 will need to type in +30 to to make the new number 682

Keep swapping over to alternate turns at changing a number.

Players say what the value is of the number being changed, and what the new value is.

Other Options…

· Start with single digit numbers and provide MAB, counters, number charts for assistance.

· Depending on ability of the children, alter the range of the numbers. Eg 4 digit, 5 digit etc

· Try to encourage the use of other operations where possible. It need not always be addition.

· Use decimal numbers

· Can you change 2 numbers with the one move? Eg 21 532 Can you change the 1

and the 3 into the same number?

Hit My Target

An activity for 2 or more players.

Players choose a target number eg 30 (depending on ability of the children)

Player 1 enters a number into their calculator eg 22

Calculator is handed to Player 2 who enters the matching number to hit the target ( eg + 8 = Hopefully the number 30 appears

Swap roles after each shot.

If they overshoot the target number, they will need to enter a subtraction attempt. If they are continually short, they will need to keep adding.

Other Options…

· Increase the number range, 3 digits, 4 digits etc

· Use decimal numbers

· Use backward counting eg Target number is 66, Player 1 enters 102. Player 2 enters – 36 = to hit the target

My Calculator is Broken!!

“I have just discovered that your calculator isn’t working properly. Your number 8 button is stuck and won’t work at all!”

The challenge now for the students is to solve a number of problems the best way that they can, but without using the 8 button!!

“How will you be able to display the 8 by using other buttons?”

Try and make these numbers…

80, 208, 88, 1 008, etc

Other Options…

· Make some decimal numbers eg 2.8, 12.08

· Make 2 numbers broken. Can you make different numbers if the 2 and 5 are not working?

· Make one button and one operation broken eg 6 and +

· Can you make a given number 5 different ways? 10 different ways?

· Can you make a number with more than one operation ( using ¸, -, +, x )

· Can you make a number using all four operations?

Guess My Number

A calculator game for 2 players.

Player 1 enters a number into their calculator, then divides it by itself. The number 1 is displayed.

Eg 25 ¸ 25 = 1

Player 1 hands the calculator to Player 2

Player 2 types in any number, then = (Do not press anything but a number, then =)

If the new number on the screen is greater than 1, their guess was too big.

If the new number on the screen is less than 1, their guess was too small.

If the new number on the screen is 1, their guess was correct.

After each attempt, if the number was too big or too small,

just press another number, then = Keep doing this until they get a number 1 on the screen again.

I must stress this, they only press a number, then =

Other Options…

· Each player enters a number in their calculator, and they swap calculators. Who can solve theirs first?

· Use a piece of paper to keep a record of your guesses.

· Use a decimal number (but don’t tell your partner this, they will be able to work it out for themselves)