Math Game Analysis

Sailor sums addition game (Phillips, M. (n.d.)) is perfect for first and second
grade and looks specifically at basic number addition. For first grade, it addresses
SOL 1.5, which states the student will recall basic addition facts with sums to 18 or
less and the corresponding subtraction facts. For second grade, it addresses SOL
2.5, which states the student will recall addition facts with sums to 20 or less and
the corresponding subtraction facts. This game also addresses the oral language
SOL 1.1, which states, the student will continue to demonstrate growth in the use of
oral language. As well as SOL 1.3, which states, the student will adapt or change
oral language to fit the situation. [The student will be able to:] a) Initiate
conversation with peers and adults. b) Follow rules for conversation using
appropriate voice level in small-group settings. c) Ask and respond to questions.
[and] d) Follow simple two-step oral directions. It also addresses SOL 2.3, which
states, The student will use oral communication skills.
Sailor Sums addition game also correlates with the content standard of
Numbers and Operations, as it involves basic facts and the operation of addition
between those facts. This game also addresses the process/practice standards of
problem solving, reasoning and proof, and communication. It addresses the problem
solving process standard because students will be somewhere on this specific
learning progression that stems from direct modeling to counting on or back to
derived facts. Most likely they will be in the counting on/back stage due to their
age/grade level but, it is hard to know for certain where they will be without
watching them play. This game addresses the reasoning and proof standard and

progression from the ability to justify their answer on three different levels, which
are: appeal to authority, justification by example and generalizable argument. This
can be observed by watching how a student justifies their answer to a problem
while playing, do they say that is the right answer because thats what they know or
can they back up their answer. It also relates to the communication standard due to
the competitive aspect of the game, where students will be checking each others
reasoning and helping each other.
The learning objectives that this game will address are shown in the table
below:
Understand

Students will
understand that
joining and
combining are
synonyms for
addition.
Students will begin
to see the
relationship
between adding
and subtracting

Know

Do

Students will know

basic addition
facts.

Students will
combine the given
problems.

Students will know

how to reason and
justify their
answers.

Students will
encourage their
teammates and
help them when
necessary.

While playing this game there are several strategies and mistakes that make
sense that will occur. The first strategy that could occur is that students could count
up, using their fingers, to find the sum. A mistake that could occur when using this
strategy is that the students could miscount or count the first number first instead
of counting consecutively. Another strategy that the students could use is using facts
that they already know such as doubles to solve problems. For example when trying

to solve 4+5, they can use 4+4, plus one more to solve. A mistake that could come
from this strategy would if the child did not know any double facts. Another mistake
stemming from this strategy could be misremembering the fact. An additional
strategy could be using manipulatives to count and get the correct answer. A
mistake that could stem from this strategy would be miscounting, just as you could
miscount when using your fingers to count.
I selected this math game because I wanted something that would be a good
practice for students in first and second grades for basic facts. I also wanted a game
that I could make a little bit more challenging if the students are finding the game
too easy. I was able to do this by simply stating that the child/adult playing should
select two cards (instead of one) and add those two sums together. Another reason
why I selected this game was due to my community profile. While completing my
community profile, I was exploring the surrounding community and found a lake
right near my elementary school. I then found out that this lake is a center part of
my community, especially during summer months. There is a campground, and
many various water activities such as sailing (in small boats), swimming, diving, etc.
Due to the importance of the lake in my community, I decided to incorporate that
into my game by choosing Sailor Sums.
The goal of this game is mastery of basic addition facts, which should be
mastered by the second grade. An important aspect of teaching basic facts is having
the students self-monitor, this is done explicitly through the recording sheet
included in the game, by completing the sheet, and the students can concretely see
what they are having problems with. Another important aspect is the focus on self-

improvement, although this game has a competitive aspect, it is important to

emphasis that the students should be working on bettering themselves and
improving their basic facts rather than beating their peer in the game. An additional
aspect is to drill basic facts in short time segments, this game follows that aspect
very well, because it should not be that long of a game and is a game that can be
used in centers or at indoor recess. Along the lines of short time segments, basic
facts should be spread out over time, this game follows that as well because it can be
played as needed. The last three dos for teaching mastery of basic facts state to
include families, make the drill enjoyable, and emphasize the importance of basic
facts. These are all explicitly included in my game, as this is a game that can be
played with people of all ages, it is a game so it is very enjoyable for children and
families alike and students will want to excel in the game so they will understand
the importance of quick recall of basic facts. The one aspect of effective teaching of
basic facts that I did not encompass in my game is the use of technology because it
was unnecessary to use technology for this particular game. I could incorporate
technology by having the students use digital flashcards to student the problems
that they missed while playing the game. Things to avoid when teaching basic facts
include: avoiding lengthy timed tests, avoiding public comparisons of skill mastery,
avoiding going in order from zero to nine, avoiding working on all the facts at one
time, and dont move to memorization to soon. All of these things to avoid when
teaching basic facts do not appear in my game.

Math Game Project Reflection

This assignment revealed to me the importance of following some if not all of
the dos for teaching basic fact practice in your classroom. These strategies clearly
lay out how to best meet each child and provide everyone the opportunity to master
basic facts. The one strategy of an effective teaching of basic facts that stuck out to
me when completing this assignment was to make drills more enjoyable, which is
exactly what this assignment demonstrated. Another important strategy that stuck
out to me from completing this assignment was the focus on self-improvement and
self-monitoring. These are things that I feel some teachers may unintentionally steer
away from through exclusive teacher-directed activities. This game, as well as many
others, will provide students with an opportunity for monitoring their own progress
and doing what they need to do to improve, it makes learning more personable and
enjoyable.
This assignment also exposed the importance of a home-school connection. If
you are able to establish a connection with each child in your classroom and then
able to take that connection and make it with their family as well then you will be
providing your students with the best possible environment to reach their
maximum potential. It also is very important to connect with the community around
your school, especially if you do not live in the same community. If you can make a
connection with your students community and use real-life examples and contexts
from their home and community lives, you will be able to engage and activate
childrens learning at a much higher rate.

This assignment will influence my future classroom because through

completing it, I was able to better understand the importance of the effective basic
fact practice and what that encompasses. I also was able to better understand how
important it is to incorporate your students families into their learning inside and
outside of the classroom. In my future classroom I will try and encompass examples,
games, worksheets, etc. that are designed with my students interests needs, and
lives in mind. With lessons and activities that are designed around your students,
you will have a much better classroom environment and much more productive and
engaged class.
My S.M.A.R.T goal was to learn new strategies and methods to teaching math
as well as strategies that I can take and use in other subjects. This assignment
directly benefited my progress towards meeting this goal. Through the steps for
effective basic fact practice alone I was able to learn and employ eight new
strategies. I can now take these new strategies and use them in my practicum and
future classrooms.
This assignment meant went in the complete opposite direction of my
mathematics timeline. I was never given the opportunity to make mathematics fun
or to take it home and have my parents play a game where I was learning with me. I
never really liked math in school because I never found it fun, easy or something I
enjoyed doing. I may have enjoyed learning math if I was given an alternative way to
learn a particular concept, such as a game.

References
Phillips, M. (n.d.). Sailor Sums Addition Game. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sailor-Sums-Addition-Game165028