Race to 100

Race to 100 is a fun and engaging game for children. The game is simple and straightforward. Two students roll die (or dice) and try to be the first to reach 100.

Place value and regrouping are two concepts that children unknowingly learn through practice and play. The video builds on prior lessons. An important concept we have to share with kids (we can explain it as part of the rules--don't overteach it) is "trading-in". Trading-in is the same as regrouping but we have to explain the rule to kids: when we have ten of any one kind of block (unit, rod or flat), we have to trade in. So if we have ten units, we pick up those ten units, trade in for one rod and place the rod in the rod column. I usually emphasize and exaggerate during trading-in for the first few games with students--or until they picked up the trade in rule. It's also helpful to remind students during play: Wow, you have a lot of units. How many units do you have? Let's count and see if you can trade in for a rod.

Before students play Race to 100, I usually play Race to 10 or 20. This allows students to familiarize themselves with the mechanics of the game as well as with the trading in concept. They learn the basics of rolling the die (or dice), counting pieces and placing them on the board and becoming more automatic with trading in pieces.