Grade
2

Math in Our World: Target Game

We invented a new target game. Each player gets five pennies to toss. You can earn 2, 5, or 10 points, depending on where your penny lands. I’ve tossed two pennies so far. I have three pennies left to toss.

A circular target has a 3 rings. The inner ring is a cup with a sticky note that says 10. The middle ring has a sticky note that says 5. One penny has landed here. The outer ring has a sticky not that says 2. One penny has landed here. Three more pennies wait to be tossed.
  1. Use pictures, models, or numbers to show what is happening.
  2. What do you notice? What do you wonder?
  3. What math questions can you ask about this situation? Answer all the questions you can!
  • Try using a number line to keep track of the number of points scored.
  • When the game is over, how many points could be scored? What’s the greatest number of points possible? What’s the fewest number of points possible?
  • Two pennies have been tossed so far. Look where they have landed. How many points have been scored so far?
  • Show your work to someone else, and explain your thinking. Did they understand?
  • Ask whether they have any other questions you can answer!

Make your own target game. You can use string or yarn to make the circles and a cup or small container for the middle. It works well to toss coins, paperclips, or even a small paper ball. Choose how many points each target is worth, and you are ready to play! You can try all different numbers. Write your own target game problems and share them with us!

Printable Version

Google doc for printing and copying

Reference for Educators

Sample problems and solutions