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Shiritori!

Target Maths: Any sums
Target grade: Elem 4 to adults


This is a great warm up game from Japan for older elementary or junior high kids! The traditional way to play it is to write a word, then the next kid comes and writes another word that begins with the last letter of the previous word. Like this....


In this maths version the kids have to write a sum on the board. But the first number of their sum has to start with the last number of the previous sum e.g.

1 + 2 = 3
3 - 2 = 1
1 + 6 = 7
7 - 2 = 5 etc.

Here's how to play...

1. Split the kids into groups.

2. Start the stopwatch

3. The front person from each group writes a sum on the board e.g. "4 + 2 = 6"



4. The next person from the group comes up and writes a sum that starts with the last number of the previous sum. e.g. if the last sum was "4 + 2 = 6" the new sum could be "6 - 3 = 3" or "6 + 4 = 10" etc.

5. Repeat from step 4

6. When the time is up, see which team has the most sums!


It's great to play some loud music when the kids are doing this game! You could also decide to give 2 marks for longer or cooler sums!!

If you like this idea, please tell your friends!