Using dominoes to practice math, problem solve, and discover relationships between numbers.
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Using dominoes to practice math,
problem solve, and discover relationships
between numbers.
The original purchaser of this document is granted permission to copy for teaching purposes only.
If you are NOT the original purchaser, please download the item from my store before making any copies.
Redistributing, editing, selling, or posting this item or any part thereof on the Internet are strictly prohibited without first
gaining permission from the author. Violations are subject to the penalties of the Digital millennium Copyright Act.
Please contact me if you wish to be granted special permission.Table of Contents
Title Page
Overview 2
Introduction 3
Flip Flop Addition (Commutative Law) 5
Domino Worm Mystery 6
Four Digit Place Value 7
Topsy-Turvy Subtraction 8
Games Using Dominoes 9
Battle of the Dominoes (addition) 10
Blackline of Double-six Dominoes 11
1 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011Overview of Dominoes
It is believed dominoes evolved from dice. In fact, the
numbers in a standard double-six set of dominoes represent all the
rolls of two six-sided die. It is thought they originated in China
around the 12th century. They have been used in a large variety of
games for hundreds of years, and today, dominoes are played all
over the world.
When playing games, children can learn a great deal concerning mathematical
concepts and number relationships. Often they are required to use critical thinking
skills as well as varied math strategies to solve them. Some of the domino activities in
this resource will use games while others will extend, enhance, or introduce a new math
concept.
For these activities, you may use commercial sets of dominoes or copy the blackline
on page 24. It can be copied on cardstock and then cut out. Be sure to copy each set
onto different colors of cardstock as this makes it easier to keep the sets together. You
should have at least one set of 28 dominoes for every two children.
Since children are curious and inquisitive, plus some may have never seen dominoes,
allow time for play and exploration before beginning any instruction. This is
constructive as well as a productive use of class time. If they are not given this, most
children will fool around and investigate during the teaching time.
2 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011Introduction
I am always looking for ways to make ordinary items into manipulatives for the
classroom. A couple of years ago, I discovered that many math activities can be created
using dominoes. Since a complete set is not expensive, I started exploring all the ways I
could use them in a math lesson; hence, the construction of this resource.
The following activities and games vary in difficulty; so choose appropriately for
your class. Because dominoes can be moved around without the need to erase or cross
out an answer, students are more comfortable and willing to try a range of activities.
There is something about not having to put a permanent answer on the page that allows
the student to explore, investigate, and probe, problem solve, and yes, even guess.
Objectives: To problem solve using dominoes; to use critical thinking skills; to
use dominoes to solve math problems and to practice math facts.
Materials Needed: Domino Page (page 24 of handout)
Various sets of dominoes of different colors. To purchase
sets of dominoes attend yard sales or shop at The Dollar Tree.
The size of the domino set depends on the largest number of dots appearing on one side
of the domino. A set of dominoes will have anywhere from 28 to 190 pieces; so you can
decide which ones you want to use or make for your set. A set of 28 dominoes is
needed for the activities in this resource.
For Overhead Dominoes:
1) Copy and cut out the 28 dominoes on page 24.
2) Using a paper punch, punch out the black dots on each end of the domino.
3) Laminate for sturdiness.
4) Store each set of dominoes in a snack size plastic bag.
Helpful Hints:
Construct the class set of dominoes from different colored cardstock. In that way, each
student or team can have one specific color, eliminating the problem of everyone having
only white or black ones. When a domino is dropped or misplaced, it is easier to
discover to whom it belongs based on its color. Label the snack bags for easy storage
such as red domino set, green domino set, etc.
3 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011Something to Observe: If you observe students continually counting the dots on the dominoes, this means s/he is unable to see the dots as a group and recognize how many are in the set. This means the student cannot conserve sets. Conserving sets means that a person can look at a grouping or a set and identify how many there are without individually counting them. (i.e. three fingers that are held up) When a child is unable to do this, they cannot memorize math facts since memorizing is associating an abstract number with a concrete set. Many teachers as well as parents fail to recognize the root cause of this memorization problem. AND no amount of practicing, bribing, yelling, or pulling out your hair will change the situation. So what can you do? First of all, the problem must be identified. Use a dice and see if the child must count each dot on each face. Try holding up fingers or laying out sets of candy (M&M's - yummy!) or using dominoes. Have the students work with dominoes on a regular basis to encourage the conserving of sets. Another idea is to put five beans in a container, and ask the child how many are in the box. (They may count them the first few times.) Take them out, and put them back in. Ask the child again how many there are. If, after several times, s/he is unable to recognize the set as a whole, then s/he cannot conserve sets. For those who have difficulty conserving sets, continually using die or dominoes will promote and assist the students in making the connection between a specific set or group and an abstract number. 4 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011
“Flip Flop” Addition
The Commutative Property for Addition (numbers may be added in order, or you can switch
numbers around and still get the same answer) is very easy to show using dominoes.
Let’s look at a couple of examples.
6 + 4 = 10 OR 4 + 6 = 10
Without actually teaching this law, let the students discover it on their own
by doing the following domino activities.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Place a domino in the empty space. Write the number of dots on each side of the
domino. Now write the total. Switch the domino around and do the same thing.
_____ + _____ = ______ and _____ + _____ = ______
_____ + _____ = ______ and _____ + _____ = ______
_____ + _____ = ______ and _____ + _____ = ______
_____ + _____ = ______ and _____ + _____ = ______
_____ + _____ = ______ and _____ + _____ = ______
What pattern do you see? ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
5 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011Domino Worm Mystery
Can you make these three worms different but so that each one has 24 dots?
First, use the real dominoes and lay out the answer on the worms.
After you figure the puzzle out, draw the dots on the worms below.
6 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011Four Digit Place Value
If you place two dominoes next to each other horizontally a
four digit number will be created with a thousands, hundreds,
tens, and a ones place. For example, the domino on the right
is the number 3,165.
Have the students randomly choose two dominoes and place them on the first set of
blanks to make a four digit number. Using that number, have the students answer the
questions below. Now have the students make a new problem by rearranging the
dominoes for Problem #2. Have them answer the same questions using the new
number.
Problem #1 Problem #2
1) Write the number. _____________ 1) Write the number. ______________
2) Write the number using words. 2) Write the number using words.
______________________________ _____________________________
______________________________ _____________________________
______________________________ _____________________________
______________________________ _____________________________
3) What digit is in the: 3) What digit is in the:
a) Ten’s place _____________ a) Ten’s place ____________
b) Thousand’s place _________ b) Thousand’s place ________
c) Hundred’s place _________ c) Hundred’s place _________
4) Round this number to the: 4) Round this number to the:
a) Nearest hundred ____________ a) Nearest hundred _____________
b) Nearest thousand ___________ b) Nearest thousand ____________
c) Nearest ten ________________ c) Nearest ten _________________
7 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011WOW
Topsy-Turvy Subtraction
!
Another way to utilize dominoes is to practice subtraction by placing the
domino so it becomes the subtrahend and the difference.
6 6 7 7
-5 -5
1 2
Have the students try to find the dominoes that will complete each problem below
so that the answer is correct. The dominoes on page 24 will fit in the spaces.
12 7 4 6 5
7 10 9 11 8
8 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011Using Dominoes 9 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011
Battle of the Dominoes
Number of Players: Two
Materials: One set of double-six dominoes per pair of children (see page 24)
Directions:
1) Place all of the dominoes face down on the table or desk.
2) At the same time, both players turn over one domino.
3) Each domino represents an addition problem. Each player takes a turn saying the
entire addition problem on the domino with the correct answer. (See example
below.)
2 1
+5 +4
7 5
4) The person with the larger sum takes both dominoes and places the pair by
him/her.
5) If a tie occurs, both dominoes are turned back over and shuffled around with the
remaining dominoes. Then each player draws a new domino.
6) Play continues until all of the dominoes have been compared.
Scoring: The person with the most pairs of dominoes is the winner.
10 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011Double-Six Domino Blackline 11 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011
A full 24 page Domino resource containing 13 different primary math activities and four
games may be purchased at: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dots-Fun-Primary-
Math-Activities-Games-Using-Dominoes
Below is the Table of Contents for the 24 page resource.
Title Page
Overview 2
Introduction 3
Count Them Up 5
Domino Sort 6
Let’s Sum It Up! 7
“Sum” Activities 8
Flip Flop Addition (Commutative Law) 9
Domino Worms 10
Creating Domino Worms 11
Wormy Data 12
Domino Worm Mystery 13
Place Value 14
Four Digit Place Vale 15
Making A Difference 16
Topsy-Turvy Subtraction 17
Games Using Dominoes 18
Match It Up! 19
Battle of the Dominoes (addition) 20
Rack Up Twelve! (a memory game) 21
It’s Show Time (using , =) 22
Show Time Score Cards 23
Blackline of Double-six Dominoes 24
12 ©V. Rauch (Scipi), 2011Thank you for downloading one of my resources. If
you have time, I would appreciate it if you would rate
this item.
I also have a math blog where I post math articles,
answers to questions, and classroom ideas.
Check it out at: http://gofigurewithscipi.blogspot.com/
The original purchaser of this document is granted permission to copy for teaching purposes only.
If you are NOT the original purchaser, please download the item from my store before making any copies.
Redistributing, editing, selling, or posting this item or any part thereof on the Internet are strictly prohibited without first
gaining permission from the author. Violations are subject to the penalties of the Digital millennium Copyright Act.
Please contact me if you wish to be granted special permission.
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