Math with a little Mingle {with a Smart Board freebie!}

My class has been working hard on number sense and I have been looking into everything I can find to help them.

So, when I came across the Mingle & Count Game, I became so excited!



Have you heard of it? We have been playing for a few weeks and my class begs for it!

I altered the game just a bit from the video, (here is a picture of my Smart Board)

If you don't have time to watch the video, here is a little bit of how to play...

First, we come to the rug and discuss the rules
(our rules... 1. Be kind.   2. Once you are with a group, stay with your group.  3. Help your friends problem solve.). 

Next, we all give ourselves a hug and I say "Mingle" and they walk around the room saying "mingle, mingle, mingle..."  

Now I say a random number (for example - 2).  And they gather in to groups of 2.  If there is ever a student who can't find a partner, it is so cute to watch the students say "Jennifer, Krista needs a partner!"  They are so good about helping each other out and helping each other problem solve!

Now I walk around and ask the class "Is this a good group of 2?"   I continue to do this with all the groups. Of course when I ask if the remainder is a good group of 2, they tell me no and I write the number in the remainder column.

Now we count how many groups of 2 and write that on the board. Then we add up our groups and add in our remainder to get our total.

If you have an odd man out (our remainder), the next time they get to quack like a duck! (or hop like a frog, or whatever you decide!) Sometimes I think a few of my students want to be the remainder just so they can quack like a duck!  

They are moving, talking and having fun, all while they are learning! What could be better!

Do you have a Smart Board? Would you like a copy to play with your class? Just click {here}
and grab your copy! 
{Update October 23, 2013:  I am so sorry - I am not sure what happened - but I have fixed the link! So you can grab it now! Thank you for your patience!} 


If you play it with your class, I would love to hear about it! 

Leave me a note and let me know what you think!