Math Intervention 3–5 Grade

Addition and Subtraction Concepts 55

Broken Towers

A game designed to build the concept

of missing part subtraction

Materials:

Q Linking cubes (20 for each player)

Directions :

1. The fi rst player states a number (1–20).


2. All players build a tower using the stated number of
   cubes.


3. When the towers are completed, each player holds her
   tower under the table. The players break their towers
   into two parts.


4. One at a time, players show one part of their tower
   by placing it on the table. The other players count the
   cubes in the part of the tower that is showing and try
   to name how many cubes are in the missing part under
   the table.


5. The fi rst player to name the correct number of cubes
   in the missing part of the tower earns one point. The
   player showing the tower can also earn one point by
   successfully stating the missing part subtraction
   equation.


6. After all players have shown their towers, the round is
   complete. A new number is given for the next round.


7. The winner is the player with the most points after
   fi ve rounds.

Content Differentiation:

Moving Back: Build towers of ten or less.

Moving Ahead: Break towers into three parts.

PLAYERS:

3 OR MORE