This game is from Joe Schwartz’s Exit 10A. The goal of the game is score the most points by connecting four numbers (either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) on a 10 x 10 grid, or 100’s chart.
The idea behind this game is that it helps younger students learn about patterns in the 100’s chart. For older students, there are a lot of strategies that can be used that makes this game interesting. Since I did not have any pictures of the game being played, I asked my high school sophomore to play with me. When I explained the rules, he thought that this was going to be an easy game. Once we started playing, he realized that the strategy needed to win this game could be quite complex.
For the game, you need at least two players, two color pencils (or a pen and pencil), and a game board. Here are the rules for the game:
- Choose a player to go first and choose a color for each player. Player 1 chooses a blank space on the gameboard and writes in the accurate number for that space. Player 2 confirms the accuracy of that number.
- Player 2 continues, choosing a blank space and writing in the accurate number for that space. Players continue alternating turns.
- When a player gets 4 numbers in a row (horizontally, vertically, diagonally) of their own color, they connect the numbers with a line, and score a tally mark at the top of the board under their name.
- Play continues until the board is filled or no more 4-in-a-rows are possible.
- The player with the highest number of tally marks wins.
You can also play variations for this game. For younger students, you could use 1 to 50 and do connect 3. You could change the chart to be 401 to 500 or 321 to 460. Or you could try using a multiplication chart.
Here are two different game boards that you can use:
Where’s the math? For math content, students are learning numbers 1 to 100. Student engage with the mathematical practices of looking for and making use of structure through looking for patterns when placing their number on the 100’s chart.
What grade level? This game is ideal for kindergarten to 2nd grade. However, all ages can enjoy this game since it requires a lot of strategy.
Ideas for Remote Teaching
- Synchronous technology – For this game, you could have the class play against the teacher. The teacher could have the video on the game board and students could take turns placing numbers on the 100’s chart.
- Asynchronous technology – Students could play this game with a sibling or family member and share what strategy worked for them (or didn’t work).
- Paper – Students could play this game with a sibling or family member and share what strategy worked for them (or didn’t work).
- Homework – You could ask students questions about the game such as is there a best place to start and why or is it better to play offensive (trying to score) or defensive (trying to block) and why.
We had fun playing this game. Leave us a note about playing 100 Chart Connect 4. What did you like? How did it go? What would you change?
Mathematical Thinking In Wuttig's World 