Firstly, Prime Climb has been very successful in creating a positive learning environment and the test results are great. Seeing students discussing mathematics whilst supporting each other and having fun is inspirational. In order for students to learn mathematics deeply and quickly they need to be relaxed, engaged and thinking flexibly. I hope these card games can enable the Tuakana-teina relationships to flourish in a fun, non-threatening way.

Secondly, student retention is an ongoing issue. For example, I find students can expand and factorize in class, but by the time the test comes along a number of students have forgotten what to do. The hope is that this fast paced, interactive game, might help retain their algebraic skills and terminology. Prime Climb certainly helps students retain the concepts of a Prime Numbers, and factors.

These ideas for algebraic card games are just a resource, I will refine my play pedagogy over time. There is a focus on literacy, where players need to explain what makes their set a valid set, and if they use a Wild Card they need to say what it represents.

I am delighted with the quality of Make Playing Cards. I would like to compare the card quality and price with The Game Crafter. You can buy a set of my design if you like @ MakePlayingCards. The cheaper alternative is PDF printable cards, but I prefer 'real' cards.

I am collecting evidence of the effectivenes of these cards. If it works then more sets can be developed (number, percentages, geometry...) for different year levels and concepts. The sets could be designed in such a way that they could be combined and played with a large group of students.

The initial reaction has been very positive, but time will tell if this is a sustained interest. The professional cards are like 'candy crush' math, the students are excited and motivated to learn.

Deal: Each player gets 7 cards.

The rest of the cards "the deck" are placed face down ready for players to draw on when it is their turn. Players put their "sets" face-up on the table before the first player picks up their card.

Suggestion: If you have a set of three or more in your hand you must place it face-up on the table. If you can not make a move you pick another card from the deck. (Google Rummy and make your own rules).

• Valid ANY TIME Moves:
  • Place a set of three or more cards on the table.
  • Add to a set of cards which is already on the table.
  • Take one card from a set of four cards or more and use it immediately.
  • Take two cards from two different sets (with more than three members) and add a third to create a new set.
• Example Moves:
  • A player puts a set of three cards on the table, one of the cards is wild.
  • Another player adds a fourth card to the set.
  • There is a race to grab the Wild Card, which must be used immediately.
    • Add the wild and a spare member of a tabled set to a card from your hand to complete a new set.
    • Combine the Wild with a set of two from a players hand.
• Rules:
  • Sets can never have less than three members.
  • If you take a Wild card from the table you must play it immediately.
  • If you take a Non-Wild card from the table you can put it in your hand. (?)
  • Your turn starts when the previous player has discarded their card.
  • False Sets: If a player puts down a set which is not correct, the other players need to explain why it is not a set. The player then undoes their move, and does not get penalized. This means you need to watch for cheating, as there is an advantage if a player tables a False Set without being noticed.
  • You can adjust the rules to suit the players, by agreement before each round.

• 4 Wild Cards (Can be anything).
• 4 Sets of Linear Relationships (16 Cards)
  • The Graph
  • The Equation in the form y=mx+c
  • The Equation in the form y-y1=m(x-x1)
  • The Equation in the form ax+by=c
• 4 Sets of Parabolas (16 Cards)
  • The Graph
  • The Equation in expanded form.
  • The Equation in factorized form.
  • The Equation in completed square form.
• 4 Sets of Circles (16 Cards)
  • The Graph
  • The Equation in (x-a)ˆ2+(y-b)ˆ2=rˆ2
  • The Equation in expanded form.
  • The Equation in standard form.

• 4 Sets of Exponentials (16 Cards)
  • The Graph
  • The Equation with y the subject.
  • The Equation with x the subject.
  • The Equation with the constant as the subject.

• Perhaps the standard graph of each set could be called a set.
  • y=x
  • y=xˆ2
  • xˆ2+yˆ2=1
• Perhaps graphs with the same x intercept could be called a set?
• Perhaps this could spark mathematical debate?
• Tables could be added into the pack. Connecting tables, equations & graphs.