Grade
3
Math in Our World: Snakes & Ladders
![Sasha's driveway has 45 squares for the Snakes and Ladders game. There are 9 rows and each row has 5 spaces. Each space is labeled with the a number, counting by 1s from 1 to 45. The numbering starts in the bottom left and goes to the top right. Four snakes and five ladders connect spaces across the board.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/inline-images/aCQ2MqiZLUoXZkrj4gwTQ6RkZaL5xPYQTePKRpS5gUXIYEvamQ.png?itok=hD_kiHZE)
![Rayne's driveway plan is a sketch on grid paper, 8 feet wide by 18 feet long. The bottom row is drawn to show 4 equal spaces. It looks like there are 9 rows.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/inline-images/a1ap1iBtTAGkHWdOyzeTA9m9Z23mTC50nbv4zlNq29iRWEhE6v.png?itok=Zhpd-web)
Sasha drew this Snakes and Ladders game in his driveway. Rayne wants to make one, too. First Rayne measured their driveway. Then Rayne drew a sketch of their driveway to find out how many squares of the game board they could fit.
- What do you notice? What do you wonder?
- Use pictures, models, or numbers to describe this situation.
- What mathematical questions can you ask about this situation? Answer all the questions you can!
- Create your own sketch of Rayne’s driveway. How many squares can you fit if all of the rows have 4 squares?
- What’s the size of each square in the driveway?
- Show your work to someone else, and explain your thinking. Did they understand?
- Ask whether they have any other questions you can answer!
Do you have a favorite game you could draw on your driveway, sidewalk, or outside at school? Check with your parents or teacher first. Then make a plan for your game. Draw the game with chalk and ask your friends to play.
Printable Version
Google doc for printing and copying
Reference for Educators
Sample problems and solutions