Bat tapping

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Suggested content:

Use counting sequences of ones with two-digit numbers and beyond

Count forwards and backwards by ones from a given number to at least 120

Continue and create number patterns

Count forwards and backwards by twos from any starting point

Use counting sequences of ones and tens flexibly

Count forwards and backwards by tens, on and off the decade, with two- and three-digit numbers

Coloured drawing of 3 students playing 'Bat tapping'.

Equipment

1 ball and batting implement per player (suitable to player ability)

Activity set-up

Check there is enough space between players and away from walls or other obstacles

How to play

Each player has a suitable batting implement and ball. The aim is to keep tapping the ball into the air with the bat, while counting, for as long as possible.

Players tap their ball up and down on their bat.
Call out the starting number and counting sequence, eg. starting at 71 counting by 10s.
Each time they tap the ball, they say the next number in the counting pattern. Eg. 71, 81, 91,..
If a player drops their ball, they start counting from the beginning.

Variations

Change the sequence e.g. even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, followed by odd numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, skip counting patterns, eg. 5, 10, 15, 20
Counting backwards.
Vary the bat and ball.
Play cooperatively in pairs or groups of 3 and vary the distance between players according to ability.
Players try to hop/jump as many times as they can while the ball is in the air.

Representing whole numbers