Take Sum Risks

Description

In “Take Sum Risks,” you’re faced with 3 decks of cards with varying levels of risk.

The Red Sharks cards can lead to a high score, but with it comes high risk. The Green Koala cards only amount to low scores, but the risk is low too. The Orange Tasmanian Devil provides the balance between the Green and  the Red cards. Players want to accumulate the highest score they can by adding up their cards, but need to beware of the Strike cards scattered across the three coloured decks. Collect three of these and you can no longer add to your score.

OPTION 2

Take Sum Risks is a fun way for players to practice their arithmetic skills, whilst making some decisions about best choices. Three piles of cards present players with the opportunity to select high, medium or low scores, whilst weighing up the risk that comes with each pile. High rewards mean high risk. Do you play safe and survive, or do you take the risk to get the big reward?

 

What aspects of the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 does the game address?

 

Listed below are the descriptors that relate to “Take Sum Risks”. I have also included references to data collection and graphing descriptors, which students observing the game can complete. This could ultimately lead to students analysing and recommending strategies for players to follow in the game.

 

Year 2

 

Number

 

add and subtract one- and two-digit numbers, representing problems using number sentences, and solve using part-part-whole reasoning and a variety of calculation strategies (AC9M2N04)

 

use mathematical modelling to solve practical problems involving additive and multiplicative situations, including money transactions; represent situations and choose calculation strategies; interpret and communicate solutions in terms of the situation (AC9M2N06)

 

 

 

Algebra

 

recall and demonstrate proficiency with addition facts to 20; extend and apply facts to develop related subtraction facts (AC9M2A02)

 

recall and demonstrate proficiency with multiplication facts for twos; extend and apply facts to develop the related division facts using doubling and halving (AC9M2A03)

 

 

Year 3

 

Number

 

extend and apply knowledge of addition and subtraction facts to 20 to develop efficient mental strategies for computation with larger numbers without a calculator (AC9M3A02)

 

Probability

 

identify practical activities and everyday events involving chance; describe possible outcomes and events as ‘likely’ or ‘unlikely’ and identify some events as ‘certain’ or ‘impossible’ explaining reasoning (AC9M3P01)

 

Statistics

 

conduct guided statistical investigations involving the collection, representation and interpretation of data for categorical and discrete numerical variables with respect to questions of interest (AC9M3ST03)

 

Year 4

 

Probability

 

conduct repeated chance experiments to observe relationships between outcomes; identify and describe the variation in results (AC9M4P02)

 

 

As you can see, “Take Sum Risks” covers a range of curriculum descriptors and is a simple and fun way for students to simultaneously develop their mental computation, probability and decision-making skills. I encourage you to give the game a go with your class and listen for the excitement and rich discussion it promotes.