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

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.

• 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.

Play plan: Pebble Game – Counting

Numeracy concept: Counting, Comparing (smaller, bigger)

Material: one stainless steel or metal bowl, one flat tray, Marbles/Seeds/Beads, dice-2 (Android app available on the play store )

Prerequisites: The child should know how to Count

Number of players: 4 or more

This game involves 4 or more players. Teams are formed with 2 or more players in each team. Each player throws a dice and depending on the number on the dice, the player and the team member(s) count and pick up the pebbles/seeds from a stack on the tray and drops them into the metal bowl. Every player gets a chance to roll the dice. After 2 rounds, the total number of pebbles/seeds are counted from the bowl. The team with the lowest number of pebbles leaves the game and the remaining teams continue to play the game until one team remains with the highest number of pebbles. The team with the highest number wins the game.
er plays individually and the player with the highest number wins the game.

Session 1: 2 players – 20 pebbles – 1 dice

• Each player keeps a stack of 20 pebbles on a tray.
• Teams are formed with 2 players in each team.
• The first player rolls the dice and depending on the number on the dice, the player and his/her partner picks up the pebbles/seeds from the tray and drops them in the bowl.
• Next, the player from the other team rolls the dice and follows the same steps mentioned in the previous point.
• After every child completes his/her chance to roll a dice, the total number of pebbles/seeds are counted in the bowl.
• The team with the lowest total, leaves the game and the game continues with other players until one team with the highest total remains and wins the game.

SESSION 2: 2 PLAYERS – 50 PEBBLES – 2 DICE

• For this session, pebbles stack size is increased to 50.
• Teams are formed with 2 players in each team.
• The game is played using 2 dice.
• Each player rolls both the dice together (in case, 2 dice are not available, the same dice can be rolled twice), then both the numbers on the dice are added.
• The player and his/her team member pick up the same number of pebbles from the tray and drops them in the bowl.
• The game continues in similar fashion as mentioned in session 1 until one team wins the game.

SESSION 3: 3 PLAYERS – 50 PEBBLES – 1 DICE

• The stack size for pebbles is 50 and 1 dice is used for this session.
• Teams are formed with 3 players in each team. Not more than 2 teams to play this game.
• All the team members roll the dice simultaneously, they add up their total and collect the pebbles in their respective bowl.

Numeracy concept: Patterns and Sorting
Materials: 2-3 different varieties of pebbles or block or any items with different texture (they should not be very small or round), 2-3 bowls and 1 flat tray
Prerequisites: Counting
Number of players: 2 or more

The objective of this game is to form the pattern instructed by the facilitator or another player within a given time. Then the number of pebbles are counted and dropped back to their respective bowls.

• Keep the 2 different varieties of blocks/pebbles in separate bowls. Keep the tray in front of the player.
• Allow children to explore and understand the difference between the two types of blocks/pebbles. Call the bowl on their left as A and the one on their right as B.
• The facilitator calls out a pattern starting with the simplest one. For example, AB-AB-AB. Set a timer and after the “start” signal from the facilitator, children start forming pattern on the tray or table. A background music can be played.
• After 2-3 minutes, the facilitator would stop the music and give a “stop” signal. Allow children to check if the pattern they have formed is correct or not. Let them count the total number of pebbles laid on the table or tray. Clear the tray by putting the blocks/pebbles back into their respective bowls.
• This game can continue with different pattern combination like AAB and ABB.
• Once children are thorough with all kinds of pattern by A and B, introduce another type of block/pebble. Identify that as C. Instruct them to make patterns like ABC/ ABCC/ABBC.
• Encourage children to form their own pattern and share with the group. Clap for everyone for playing and understanding the game so well.

• Numeracy concept: Odd or Even
• Material: A bowl full of Marbles/Seeds/Beads/Buttons
• Prerequisites: Counting, addition
• Number of players: 2

The objective of the game is to collect all the marbles/seeds. This game involves only two players. Either Facilitator/Teacher/Player themselves will equally distribute the marbles. They have to pick some number of marbles in their fist and ask the opposite player to guess whether he/she has an empty or odd or even number of marbles. If the guess is correct then the player who is playing has to return those marbles to the opposite player, if guess is wrong then the opposite player has to give that many numbers of marbles to the player and if it is empty and the guess is correct no exchange but guess is wrong they will have the pre decided number say “5 marbles (which is decided in the beginning of the play starts)” then the opposite player has to give 5 marbles to the player. Both of them will get an alternative turn to play. At the end, whoever has all or the maximum number of marbles will be the winner.

SESSION 1:

• Before the session begins, ask the players to decide and keep a number.
• Children are grouped into pairs. Ask one of the players in the group to equally distribute the marbles. For example: If there are 50 marbles, each of the players has to get 25 marbles.
• Now Player 1 has to pick marbles in their hand with a closed fist and ask player 2 has to guess whether player 1 has an empty or odd or even number of marbles.
• If the guess is correct then the player who is playing has to return those marbles to the opposite player, if guess is wrong then the opposite player has to give that many numbers of marbles to the player and if it is empty and the guess is correct no exchange but guess is wrong they will have the pre decided number say “5 marbles (which is decided in the beginning of the play starts)” then the opposite player has to give 5 marbles to the player.
• Both of them will get an alternative turn to play.
• At the end, whoever has all or the maximum number of marbles will be the winner.

SESSION 2: (KLI – SA3.2A, SA3.2B)

• Make a group of 2 children. Hand over pebbles to each group.
• In a group, player 1 will tell the number of groups (multiplier) and player 2 will tell the number of pebbles that each group should (multiplicand) have. That is each group should have the same number of pebbles. Then both of them should tell the total number of pebbles.
• Continue for 4 to 5 rounds and build a discussion among them and see are there any other methods other than doing repeated addition to multiply the numbers.
• Then the children should tell whether the obtained product is even or odd.

SESSION 3: (KLI – SA3.2B, SA3.2C, SA3.3B)

Make a group of 2 children and keep 20 pebbles in the middle of the group.
Provide 2 bowls or paper cups to all the groups and ask them to distribute or divide all the pebbles equally to both the cups such that there should not be any remaining.
If there is remaining, ask them the reason why they were not able to distribute.
Whoever was able to distribute and give reason will remain in the game.
Increase the number of cups one at a time and repeat dividing the pebbles.
And when it is 5 cups and whichever group was able to divide equal number of pebbles in all the cups will be the winner.
This activity can be extended by increasing the number of pebbles as well as number of cups depending on the grade and capacity of children.

 SESSION 4: (KLI – SA3.3B, SA3.3D, SA3.3E)

• Make a group of 2 children and keep 30 pebbles in the middle of the group.
• Ask one of the children to roll a dice. Then whatever number they get on dice those many groups they have to do and should distribute the given number of pebbles equally.
• Ask them the number of pebbles in each group after they equally divide the pebbles.
• Build a discussion among children that the number they get on dice is a divisor and number of pebbles is a dividend, number of pebbles in each group is quotient and the remaining will be remainder. Hence, discuss whoever is able to divide equally what will be the remainder of their number also whoever was not able to divide.
• Similarly, play for 4 to 5 rounds by increasing or decreasing the pile of pebbles depending on the grade and capacity of students.