Play Plan : Grouping

General Information

• Prerequisites: Counting
• Play arena: pebbles, dry beans (chickpeas) or marbles, 2 bowls, 1 tray
• Number of players: 2 or more

Game Overview and Basic Rules for Play

The objective of the game is to make 2 groups and get the maximum combination for a given number (2 to 11) and notice the pattern at the end of the game.
The game starts by giving X number of pebbles to the players and then asking them to make 2 groups of that many pebbles and see how many combinations they can make with that number.

Play Session Plans:

• Each child should have at least 11 pebbles and two bowls with them.
• Start the game by giving each child 2 pebbles and ask them to make 2 groups. And then put those many numbers in the bowl. For example if they have 2 pebbles they can make a combination of [1+1], so one pebble in each bowl.
• Similarly in the next round increase the number by one. This time give them 3 pebbles and ask them to make 2 groups and see how many combinations they can make. For example, with 3 pebbles they can make a combination [1+2]. So 1 pebble in 1 bowl and 2 pebble in the other bowl.
• Similarly for other numbers, they have to make 2 groups and more combinations which are mentioned below:
  • 4 pebbles [1+3, 2+2]
  • 5 pebbles [1+4, 2+3]
  • 6 pebbles [1+5, 2+4, 3+3]
  • 7 pebbles [1+6, 2+5, 3+4]
  • 8 pebbles [1+7, 2+6, 3+5, 4+4]
  • 9 pebbles [1+8, 2+7, 3+6, 4+5]
  • 10 pebbles [1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5]
  • 11 pebbles [1+10, 2+9, 3+8, 4+7, 5+6]
• If one child makes one combination, the teacher can ask other children to try another combination so that they have all the combinations with them for each number.
• Teacher should ensure that all the combinations are made by the children, so that at the end of the game she can ask, is there anything which they notice in these combinations? Is there any pattern? Allow children to share their thoughts and observations.