A standard deck of playing cards (or a custom deck with numbers suitable for division)
Optional: Worksheet for recording division pairs found during the game.Introduction:
Begin with a brief explanation of the division concept and how it can be practiced through games.
Discuss the rules of the traditional “Go Fish” game and how they will be modified for division practice.
Preparing the Cards:
Remove face cards (Jack, Queen, King) from the deck, leaving only the number cards (Ace can represent 1).
Explain that players will look for pairs of cards that divide evenly into each other.
Setting Up the Game:
Shuffle the deck and deal 5 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face down in a draw pile.
Players should keep their cards hidden from other players.
Playing the Game:
The first player asks another player if they have a card that can be paired with one in their hand to make a division fact. For example, if they have an 8, they might ask for a 2 (since 8 ÷ 2 = 4).
If the asked player has the card, they must hand it over, and the asking player lays down the division pair. If not, the asking player must “Go Fish” by drawing a card from the draw pile.
The game continues with the next player, and so on.
Recording Results:
Provide an optional worksheet for players to record the division pairs they lay down during the game.
For example, if a player lays down an 8 and a 2, they write down “8 ÷ 2 = 4” on their worksheet.
Winning the Game:
The game ends when all pairs have been made, or when the draw pile is empty.
The player with the most division pairs laid down wins the game.
Discussion and Analysis:
After the game, gather the class to discuss their observations.
Ask questions such as: “How did playing the game help you practice division facts?”
Discuss any strategies they used to remember and identify division pairs.
Extension Activity (Optional):
Challenge students to create their own custom decks with more complex division pairs.
Encourage them to play with different group sizes to practice division with various numbers.
Conclusion:
Summarize the key points about practicing division facts through games.
Emphasize the importance of regular practice to reinforce their understanding of division.
Reinforce the concept by asking students to share how playing “Go Fish” helped them learn and remember division facts.