#836. Multiplication War

Mathematics, level: all
Posted Sun Feb 7 17:18:41 PST 1999 by Patty (ppate@arkansas.net).
Hatfield Elem, Hatfield
Materials Required: decks of playing cards
Activity Time: 15 - 30 minutes
Concepts Taught: multiplication facts

My 4th, 5th, & 6th graders love multiplication war. Before
we start I write on the overhead that Ace = 1, J = 0, Q = 11,
and K = 12. Students pair up and shuffle their cards. They
deal the cards out evenly and stack them face down in front of
them. Then war!! Both students turn over their top at the
same time. They multiply the 2 cards and shout the answer.
The winner puts the cards in his/her winning pile. If a tie
should occur, keep turning cards until someone wins the pile.
When all of their original stack has been played, they count
their winnings. The winner gets a point, token, skittle, etc.
and switches partners. I try to guide them to someone else
who has also won. Sometimes we play longer with the same partner
by turning over the winner piles and continuing play until one
player has all of the cards.