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#25. PIG/HOG

PIG is an addition game, played between two or more students (but they CAN play alone!). Sometimes I have the whole class play & I keep score. I digress...The first player rolls the 6-sided, pip dice. They add up the total by counting the pips, using their fingers, coming from memory, however they can do it (NO help, please!). This begins their turn. They continue to roll and add the pips (they are the only ones who can give me the total of the pips but anyone in the class can help me add on to their total) on the dice to their score. UNLESS they roll a 1. If a 1 is rolled they must pass the dice (& don't get to count that roll) to the next player. If two 1s are rolled (snake eyes) the snake eats their score back down to zero. However, if no 1 is rolled they can roll as many times as they don't roll a 1. Originally, we played that the first to 100 was the winner but since it is possible to be SO lucky as to get to 100 without passing the dice, we add new twists to keep things interesting - first to 100 is the 1st winner and begins SUBTRACTING from 100 back to zero. Or keeping going for the whole year to see who can get the largest number (if they roll snake eyes they go to the next lower hundred - if they had 374 & rolled snake eyes, their score would be eaten down to 300). I use all kinds of dice - regulation, Las Vegas, foam, paper cubes with the pips drawn on... Then, as they progress (we begin this in kindergarten)we move on to 12-sided dice. We've made paper dice but they crush easily. I've found a place that sells large plastic 12-sided dice so we're enjoying those at present. Because the scores add up so much more rapidly and the likelyhood of rolling a 1 diminish greatly, they only get 3 rolls per turn, however the 1 Rules apply. If necessary, they can use their own and neighbor's fingers for their totals. We continue this until after Christmas holidays in 3rd grade. By then they have been introduced to and SHOULD know their multiplication tables. Then we switch to HOG. The rules are the same except that you multiply the numbers on the dice and add it to your score. Currently the whole school is playing (I teach them all in the science lab), I keep their scores on individual notecards & we're looking for the highest scores per grade level. It is great PRACTICE, but don't tell the kids - they think it is FUN! I'm gradually getting teachers to play with or allow their classes to play at odd moments. It lends itself to a variety of permutations, too, let your imagination & that of your students run free. I've also sent two copies of cut/paste cubes that the kids have drawn pips on, home for them to share the making and the game with their parents (Get the whole family involved!) Let me know how you do!