Math "Go Fish"

Skill: Addition/Subtraction | No. of Players: 2-4 | Set-up: Quick

Based on the card game, “Go Fish”, this activity has students ask for the sums and differences of various math problems. This game reinforces number relationships by having students solve mental math problems. Students also must stay engaged as they recall who has the specific card they need or if they will have to “Go Fish”. 

Materials:

Standard deck of cards (with the jacks, kings, and jokers removed) or UNO deck

Instructions:

1. Explain in the game that Aces (A) are 1s and Queens (Q) are 0. Predetermine a target number (i.e. 10).

2. Shuffle and deal five cards to each player, the remaining cards are placed in the center face-down acting as the “pond” to draw from. * If you are playing with a deck of cards, remind students that aces are 1s. 

3. Players look at their cards and lay pairs face up on the table that equate to the target number.

4. The player left of the dealer starts the game by asking another player for a specific card that will help them get to the target number.

   1. If the other player has the card, they MUST give it to the asking player, who then makes a pair and places it on the table. 

   2. If the other player DOES NOT have the specific card, they say “Go Fish” and the asking player must draw a card from the face-down center pile or “pond”

5. After the previous player has laid down cards or drawn from the pond, the next player takes their turn. 

6. The game continues until the center pile is empty, the winner is determined by the player with the most math pairs in front of them at the end of the game. 

Variations:

1. Additional supports: Provide manipulatives to support struggling students.

2. Challenge: Students can use three cards to get to their target number rather than using pairs.

Pro-tip:

Not every student has played "Go Fish" before. It may be helpful to play through a round just so students can understand the concept.