ZigZag involves subtraction and addition. Because the game involves subtraction, it is appropriate for children who know the sums of small numbers 1-6 by heart. Children cannot learn subtraction if they cannot recall the corresponding addition. For example, they cannot do 6-4 mentally if they do not already know 4+2=6.
Playing ZigZag provides opportunities to add and subtract three numbers in various combinations. Because three numbers present many different possibilities, children will perform many sets of calculations in order to play the game successfully.
Recommended # of players: 2
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Standards Addressed
Common Core Standards
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Understand and apply properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.
- 1.OA.4. Understand subtraction as an unknown-addend problem. For example, subtract 10 - 8 by finding the number that makes 10 when added to 8. Add and subtract within 20.
Add and subtract within 20.
- 1.OA.6. Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13).