Mathematics Strategies
Strategy: Piggy Bank strategy
Appropriate Grade Level: 1-3
Procedures/Steps:
1. Teacher identifies the problem. In the Figure, there is a missing number in the equation.
2. All the cards are dealt, and each player keeps his or her cards in a stack facedown, without looking at
them.
3. The object of the game is to make “five cents” with two cards. (You change the “five cents” to “25
cents” depending on the student’s level )
4. The first player turns over the top card of his or her stack and discards this card in the middle of the
table, faceup.
5. If this card is a 4, and the second player turns over a 1, the latter can take the two cards and keep them
in his or her "bank."
6. If, however, the second player turns over a 3, this 3 has to be discarded in the middle of the table,
faceup, the turn passes to the third player.
7. Play continues with each player in turn trying to make five cents, and the game ends when all cards
are used up.
Example: Player 1 Card
Player 2 Card
So student will think in their head:
Comments and/or tips:
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You can change the cards to equal a larger number (remember to think coins and dollar values) so
student can work on missing numbers.
Have students read each number out loud
Make this a weekly routine
Source:
Kamii, C., Lewis, B. A., & Booker. B. M. (1998). Instead of teaching missing addends. Teaching Children
Mathematics, 4(8), 458. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from Research Library.