Subtraction stacks

Watch the video to learn how to play

(From J Bay-Williams and G Kling, 2019)

Transcript

Transcript coming soon.

Collect resources

You will need:

  • 10 counters (or other items such as dried pasta, lego pieces) per player

  • 2 dice (you could also use playing cards use the king as zero, or a number spinner zero to 6)

  • Paper to make your Subtraction stack game board

0-6 spinner.pdf

How to play

  • Each player places their 10 counters of their subtraction stack gameboard. More than one counter can be placed on each number.

  • Take turns by rolling the dice and finding the difference between the two numbers rolled.

  • If a counter is on the number, the player removes it from the gameboard.

  • If there are no counters to remove, miss a turn.

  • The winner is the player who removes all counters from their gameboard first.

Other ways to play

  • Extend the subtraction stack gameboard to 9 or 11 and use a 12 or 10-sided dice. Each player will need 20 counters or items to play.

Discuss/reflect

  • What was one of your strategies for working out the difference between the numbers rolled? Is the strategy the same or different to your opponent?

  • Will you place your stacks of counters differently next time you play? Why?