Students work in pairs to design, test, revise, and share a playable math game that helps children practice counting, writing numerals, comparing quantities, composing and decomposing numbers, and solving addition and subtraction stories. The work begins with a game exhibition where students study what makes a game clear and fun, then use anchor-chart checkpoints, adult game-plan reviews, and peer feedback to improve their ideas. Through collaboration with classmates, the math specialist, families, and older buddies, students build communication, problem-solving, and confidence while creating a game they can take home and also share with younger learners and community spaces.

Students will count by ones and tens, write numerals 0–20, count and compare sets, solve addition and subtraction stories within 10, and compose and decompose numbers to 19 through the design of a playable math game. They will apply these skills by creating game cards, boards, spinners, and directions that match anchor chart expectations and can be successfully played by younger or older buddies, families, and community partners. Students will collaborate in pairs to make shared decisions, listen to feedback from classmates and adults, revise their game plan after playtesting, and explain how their game helps others practice math. Students will reflect at checkpoints using anchor charts and build confidence by improving a real product that will be used at school, at home, and in community spaces.

Students will create a partner-designed math game that includes counting, writing numerals, comparing quantities, addition and subtraction within 10, and composing/decomposing numbers as needed for play. Along the way, they will make game plans, simple prototypes, number cards or game pieces, rule posters, anchor-chart checklists, and peer feedback forms used to revise the game. The final product will be a polished take-home game set with directions and materials that can be played with younger or older buddies, shared with families, and copied for community partner spaces. Students will also create a short oral presentation to introduce how their game works and what math skills it helps players practice.

Set up a hands-on game museum with simple store-bought and teacher-made math games, with parents, the math specialist, or older buddies leading small groups as students play. As they explore, partners notice and name what a strong game needs by adding ideas to a class anchor chart such as rules, number practice, fairness, fun, and clear materials. End with a short circle where students compare the games they tried and respond to the question, “How can we create a math game to practice math skills with my friends?” This shared experience gives every pair concrete ideas for designing a take-home game for younger students, buddies, and community spaces.

Host a Math Game Day where pairs teach and play their finished games with a 3rd grade buddy class or 1st grade students, explaining the rules, math skills, and how to win. Invite families, the math specialist, and parents to rotate through stations, use a simple feedback form, and celebrate how each game practices counting, comparing, composing numbers, and addition/subtraction. Send copies of selected games to community partner spaces from the fall, and let each pair take a copy home for summer practice. Add a short reflection wall with anchor-chart checkboxes where students share what they revised, what they are proud of, and how their game helps friends learn math.