Guess My Number
Overview
This is a task that includes greater than/less than, comparing numbers, and number sense
Mathematics - 2nd Grade
Guess My Number
DESCRIPTION
- Overview: This is a task that incorporates greater than/less than, comparing numbers, and number sense
- Subject: Mathematics
- Level: Lower Primary
- Grades: Grade 2
- Material Type: Activity Lab
- Author: Michalina Peterson
- Date Added: 1/23/2022
- License: Creative Commons Attribution
- Language: English
- Media Format: Text/HTML
- Alignment to Content Standards: 2.NS.3 - Plot and compare whole numbers up to 1,000 on a number line
TASK
Materials:
- A dry erase or black board
- Dry erase markers or chalk
- A number line drawn on the board, with the numbers 1-30 included
Actions:
- The teacher picks a number from 0-30 and writes it down so the students cannot see it
- A number line is 0-30 is displayed on a white board or chalk board
- Students will take turns guessing the teachers "secret" number
- As students guess, the teacher gives them clues, for example:
- The secret number is "12", the teacher has written this down.
- Student #1 guesses the number 18.
- The teacher tells the student, "That is not the secret number, the secret number is LESS THAN 18", and indicates this on the number line, by X-ing out the number 18, and drawing an arrow above the number 18, pointing to the left of 18 to indicate that the number is LESS THAN.
- Student #2 guesses the number 3.
- The teacher tells the student, "That is not the secret number, the secret number is GREATER THAN 3, but LESS THAN 18". They indicate this by X-ing out the number 3, and drawing an arrow above the number 3 pointing to the right to indicate that the number is GREATER THAN.
- This continues until the correct number is guessed.
NOTES
- Any number of students can participate in this activity, it is nice that it can be used with 1 student, or a class of 15, each taking turns guessing the number.
- Very low prep is needed for this activity.
- Quick checks of understanding of greater than/less than can be made based on students' answers.
- Students really enjoy this activity, they get excited when they are getting closer to the correct guess.
- As an alternative, students also enjoy being the one to pick the "secret" number, although it can sometimes be a challenge for the student to keep their number a secret. They can take turns being the teacher and giving each other clues based on greater than/less than, increasing their level of understanding.
- In preparation for this activity, students should be familiar with the terms greater than/less than and with comparing numbers.