Game 6N5: Number Theory
Strand: Number
Strand Unit: Number Theory
Curriculum Objectives Covered:
Identify simple prime and composite numbers
Identify and explore square numbers
Explore and identify simple square roots
Identify common factors and multiples
Write whole numbers in exponential form
Name: “Penalty Shootout!”
Aim: To correctly identify prime, composite and square numbers, and factors and multiples, in
order to receive penalty kicks.
Activity Area: Hall or yard.
Duration: 30 minutes.
Resources:
1 football
1 set of goal posts
1 large sheet of chart paper, a marker and blue tack
2 rulers
1 list of instructions (attached)
Set Up:
1. Set up the hall as in the ‘Layout’ diagram below.
2. Set up the goal posts at one end of the hall.
3. Use the marker to write the following 16 numbers onto the large sheet of chart paper; 2, 5,
12, 9, 25, 1, 10, 18, 6, 20, 11, 8, 4, 16, 7, 3. Leave space at the bottom of the chart for the
answer to Instruction 18.
4. Use the blue tack to stick the large sheet of chart paper onto the wall beside the goal posts
where everybody can see it.
5. Split the class into 2 teams and ask them to sit together in 2 lines on the floor, as below.
6. Place the 2 rulers on the floor in front of the goals to mark the points where each team’s
playing member will stand when it is his/her turn.
7. Put the football on the ground a suitable distance from the goals.
8. The teacher brings the attached instructions with him/her to the goals where he/she will be
the goalkeeper.
9. Send the first player from each team to stand behind their ruler mark.
Copyright Ann Moran
Layout:
Goalposts
2 5 12 6
9 25 1 10
20 11 8 4
16 7 3 18
Teacher
X
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Team A
X
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Team B
*Before the game, remind the children of the meanings of prime numbers, composite numbers,
square numbers and roots, cube numbers and roots, factors and multiples.
Start Playing:
1. The game begins with one player from each team standing behind each ruler marker, ready
to follow the first instruction called by the teacher in goals.
2. The teacher reads out the first instruction to the two competitors standing at the ruler
markers e.g. “Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and find the square root of 9.”
3. The first child to call out the correct answer from the chart (i.e. 3 in this example) wins the
chance to take a penalty kick for his/her team.
4. Each competitor may give only one answer. If a player calls out an incorrect answer he/she
may not answer again, and his/her competitor can think until he/she is ready to give an
answer.
5. If any team’s members prompt their player or call out an answer, the opposing team is
awarded a penalty kick.
6. Any player who scores a goal receives 1 point for their team.
7. After the first two competitors have returned to their teams, the next player from each team
comes forward to be given an instruction.
8. The play continues in this manner until all children have had an opportunity to compete.
9. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.
Copyright Ann Moran
Instructions:
1. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and find the square root of 9.
(Answer = 3)
2. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out any composite number.
(Answer = 4 or 6 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 12 or 16 or 18 or 20 or 25)
3. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out any prime number.
(Answer = 2 or 5 or 7 or 11)
4. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out 2 factors of 18.
(Answer = 1 and 18, 2 and 9, or 3 and 6)
5. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out any square number.
(Answer = 4 or 9 or 16 or 25)
6. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out a multiple of 5.
(Answer = 5 or 10 or 20 or 25)
7. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out any prime number.
(Answer = 2 or 5 or 7 or 11)
8. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out any square number.
(Answer = 4 or 9 or 16 or 25)
9. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out any composite number.
(Answer =4 or 6 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 12 or 16 or 18 or 20 or 25)
10. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out 2 factors of 12.
(Answer = 1 and 12, 2 and 6, or 3 and 4)
11. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and find the square root of 4.
(Answer = 2)
12. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out any prime number.
(Answer = 2 or 5 or 7 or 11)
13. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out a multiple of 6.
(Answer = 6 or 12 or 18)
14. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and find the square root of 25.
(Answer = 5)
15. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out any square number.
(Answer = 4 or 9 or 16 or 25)
16. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out any composite number.
(Answer =4 or 6 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 12 or 16 or 18 or 20 or 25)
17. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and call out 2 factors of 10.
(Answer = 1 and 10, or 2 and 5)
18. Look at the selection of numbers on the chart and find the cube root of 8.
(Answer = 2)
Now write out the number sentence on the chart in the following form: ? x ? x ? = 2³ = 8
Copyright Ann Moran