Basic Facts Challenge (New Activity)

Why are basic fact knowledge important? In brief, understanding learning basic facts is only part of the learning process and, without going into the science behind it, when children can quickly recall basic facts, their brain is free to focus on new math skills. Basic facts can be a big part of the foundation for higher-level math, and learning becomes easier when students know them well.

Event Basics: The activity is not limited to addition. The information here is just a sample. Refresh the page to watch video again on your phone, or enlarge the video for rewind control.

This does not have to take a long time to run. If students understand ahead of time the basics of the competition, 30 minutes should work just fine. Keeping it simple: Students compete at a Challenge Table. Winners advance to Championship Tables. I envision many possibilities – addition, multiplication, GCF, LCM, factors and (maybe even) subtraction.

Let’s use the K.I.S.S. method.

One Possible Modification: Place students into 2 or 3 groups ahead of time based on basic facts knowledge and have one Championship Table per level. Thus, giving as many students as possible a fair chance for success. I have the materials and am open to ideas. Maybe make it a “Round The World” type of thing where winners from lower level Championship Tables advance to the next higher group.

  • See above VERY SHORT video for challenge process.
  • Green light shows player that pressed in first. They are called on to answer. They MUST answer immediately when called upon! (Note: Pressing in is them saying they know the answer. They don’t get to figure it out after pressing the button.)
  • Student goes immediately to back of their class line if they …
    • Press the button before dice are uncovered.
    • They do not answer immediately when called on.
    • They answer incorrectly.
    • They do not win the challenge.

Note: We can always modify this event. It doesn’t have to be about just addition. I have 6-sided with dots, 6-sided dice with numerals, 8-sided dice, 10-sided dice, 12-sided, 20-sided dice, and 30-sided dice. I also have 10 dice spinners and 10 sets of buttons (handles up to 8 players per set of buttons.)

Each Challenge Winner receives a wooden chip (1 point) AND advances to one of 2 Championship Tables (for up to 8 students per table at a time).

  • Challenge Tables should have dice within the expected range of knowledge of the students participating. (Example: 2, 6-sided dice)
  • I suggest spinning the dice again if one of them is a “1.”
  • Championship Tables have a little more difficulty. (Example: 1, 6-sided die and 1, 12-sided die)
  • I have 6-sided, 12-sided, 20-sided, and 30-sided dice.
  • Each class has a single tube for the chips (one color per class).
  • At the Championship Table, students compete for a yellow chip (2 points). This is where up to 8 students per table compete. The same process as the Challenge Tables is used. (See video.)
  • Championship Tables should have a little more difficulty. (Example: 1, 6-sided die and 1, 12-sided die)
  • Challenge Tables should have dice within the expected range of knowledge of the students participating. (Example: 2, 6-sided dice)

    THE COST If your school already runs a standard Pirate’s Math Challenge event, just pay the day’s travel fee of $1 per mile one-way from Millcreek Elementary at 925 Universal Dr., Columbia, SC 29209 {near me} and we’re good.) If not, please add $22 per grade level.

    You also need to supply adults to run the tables. However, I’ve had many 5th grade students that could do it just as well so, there’s always that.