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 :
- The fi rst player states a number (1–20).
- All players build a tower using the stated number of
cubes. - When the towers are completed, each player holds her
tower under the table. The players break their towers
into two parts. - 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. - 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. - After all players have shown their towers, the round is
complete. A new number is given for the next round. - 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.