Guess my Number Riddles
Guess My Number is a riddle type game you can use with any math unit. I’ve done Guess My Fraction, Guess the Probability, Guess my Multiple, etc… I’ve also done this with both second graders and fourth graders in various units. One of my second grade students’ favorites was ‘Guess My Amount’ with money. So fun!
These are not only engaging because they’re more fun than a worksheet, but the students enjoy guessing each other’s riddles.
How to Play the Guess My Number Game with Multiplication
I always walk my kids through the same process. I first tell them we’re playing a game and they have to guess my number. I’ll go through one set of clues, one clue at a time. They try to guess the number but keep it in their head. Then I give them the second clue. Most will need to adjust their number in their head. Then I give them the third clue. Again, adjust in their head.
Then the final clue is the “clincher clue.” There’s only one possible answer.
I do several of these with the class guessing, using the same types clues. It’s a framework of clues I give them. Then we will build a riddle together. I’ll pull sticks to have kids fill out a brainstorm slip with me, pulling a new person for each step, the class agreeing or disagreeing. Sometimes, I arrange ahead of time to call another class after we do this and read our clues to them to see if they can guess it. And sometimes a class will do it back to us later. It’s fun!
Tips for Having Students Make Their Own Guess My Number Games
Eventually it’s time for students to make their own! I have the brainstorm paper to make sure all students stay in the parameters of the clues. This keeps those students on track who seem to have issues following directions. Doing these also allows me to edit them for accuracy. I have to check off each student’s form before they can create a final clue flip up paper.
The final drafts of the guess my number math games are just copy papers, cut in half hamburger style, then folded in half again. Kids can make them pretty and they usually enjoy that. Fast finishers can also make more than one.
When these are done I like to put them on the wall where we line up to leave the classroom. Not only do they make a colorful entry area, but then kids are practicing multiplication while they’re in line. Without me prompting them. Because students always have to be looking at and touching whatever is on the wall when they’re standing there, am I right? Win!
A few tips for differentiation:
-You can assign specific facts to students who are struggling with particular multiplication problems.
-You can require higher students to use other facts in their clues (like the third clue on the pink sample).
-Students who would benefit from it can also draw a picture on the inside to go with their fact. It can be in groups, or an array, or you could even provide them with grid paper to make an array and cut and paste it into the answer section. The blue sample shows this on the inside.
I hope you have a chance to try this in your class! If you’d like the downloadable PDF of the brainstorm page you can click the link below. No email needed! (It’s nothing fancy – two brainstorm pages per sheet of paper – 1 page download).
guess-my-number-multiplication-draft
