Flash & Show Years K - 1

Summary Easy to state and easy to start, this is a game children love. Perhaps its because the calculator adds an 'X-Box' factor for some, or makes the activity non-threatening for others. It can be used with the whole class, in small groups or one on one. The essence is that the teacher shows a card and the students respond orally, and/or with their Poly Plug, and/or with a calculator number, and/or by collecting the number of other objects to match the flash card. Suitable for threading. Materials Large flash cards with digits, pictures of objects etc. sometimes arranged neatly, sometimes not One calculator per child or pair One Poly Plug per child or pair

Procedure The teacher flashes a card. Children have to show the appropriate number on their calculator (or say it orally, or build a corresponding set of other objects). Discuss the results and the children's ways of knowing the number represented by the card. The teacher could be replaced by an older 'buddy', mother, or group leader. Another variation is to use prepared Poly Plug boards as flash cards. They can be prepared in seconds and many teachers find them much more convenient than preparing the sticky dot cards and laminating them as in the photo. Variations The teacher shows a numeral card. Children write this number on their calculator, then 'race' around the room to collect that many objects.

Content 1:1 correspondence conservation of number counting estimating number mathematical conversation multiplication - array model numeral recognition pattern recognition place value recording - calculator subitising visual and kinaesthetic representation of number

2. Lots of discussion possibilities based around questions like:
   • How can you check that you have the same number of things as Mary?
   • Can you check that another way?
3. The teacher shows a card. Children respond by showing the same number of plugs and collecting the number of objects and by writing that number on their calculator. Reverse this process too with the teacher first flashing a calculator number on the class screen or showing a plug board or revealing a collection of objects.
4. Remember to record sometimes. Draw a picture of what we did in Flash and Show today.
5. Children will soon be able to run the activity in groups for themselves with one of them being the teacher for the day.
6. Consider using cards showing tens and ones in some way, eg: bundles and bits, or dice patterns of pairs of fives and another dice, or Poly Plug with two rows of 5 turned over and some extra ones.

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