Leap Day Coin Game: Let's Leap To 29
To coincide with their studies of Lincoln and Washington, many teachers start their intense study of coins in February, so I thought it would be fun to make up a game for Leap Day, using pennies, nickels, dimes and a quarter, to help review those coins.
I find that the more times you can immerse children in hands-on activities, that involve the concepts you’re trying to teach them, the better chance you have of having the perverbial lightbulb go on, as they latch on to something that will help them differenciate the coins.
What better way to do that than by playing a game!
Since Leap Day falls on the 29th and I’m trying to get that fact stuck into my students’ heads, as well as the fact that this is an extra day, since February usually has only 28 days, I made the game Leap To .29 Cents.
I also want students to try and figure out what their best chances are of reaching 29 the quickest will be, depending on the column of coins they choose.
A discussion about strategy can follow of whether column choice matters and why.
I’ve also provided a graph to see which column won the game the most to see if it really did make a difference.
Students choose a partner and take turns spinning the coin spinner.
Whatever coin their paperclip lands on they color in that coin.
If they have already colored in those coins it becomes their partner’s turn.
Play continues ‘til the timer rings.
If someone has not reached 29, the student who is closest to 29 is the winner.
I hope this gives you another idea for your bag of tricks for Leap Day.
Click on the link to view/download Leap Day Coin Game, Leapin’ to 29.
Scroll down for my post from yesterday and the Leap Day Leapin’ Animals booklet and be sure and pop back tomorrow for more Leap Day activities.
