SIMCC Games · Teacher guide
Number Line Dash
Race along a number line with step cards, from integers to fractions.
- Trains
- Adding and subtracting on a number line · Negative numbers (Middle Division) · Quarters and mixed numbers (Upper Division)
- Ages
- 7 and up
- In class
- Pass and play. Groups of 2 to 4 share one device. Choose Lower Division: whole numbers from 0 to 20.
A ten-minute starter
- Show about 2 minDraw a line from 0 to 20. A pawn on 7 plays a +3 card: 7 + 3 = 10. You must land exactly on 20 to win, and a card that would go past the end cannot be played.
- Play about 6 minGroups play pass and play at Lower Division. Players say each move aloud as a sum.
- Talk about 2 minAsk: which card did you want near the finish? Which card could you not play, and why?
Questions to ask the class
- Your pawn is on 18. Which card wins?Listen for: +2. It lands exactly on 20.
- You are on 17 and hold +5, +4 and −1. What must you play?Listen for: −1. The others go past 20, and you must play a card if one fits.
- On the Middle Division line, where does −4 × (−1) take you?Listen for: To 4: ×(−1) mirrors your square across zero.
A common mistake
Playing the biggest card every time, then getting stuck near the finish.
How to help: Each card shows where it would take the pawn. Ask them to plan two moves ahead near the end. Hint (H) names the card the Clever computer would play, and why.
Assign it
On the coach dashboard, choose your class under Cohorts. In Assign practice, pick Number Line Dash and the drill Number Line Dash, add a due date if you want one, then press Assign. Students find it on their Train page.
It opens against the computer, with 1 to 3 computer players at Easy or Clever.
Wins against the computer show under By game, as each student's device reported them. Pass-and-play games do not show.