monsters vs robots

MONSTERS VS ROBOTS.

Ages: K-5 (addition or multiplication)

Intro: This award-winning game* was born out of a desire to have a fun card game to play with my 5 year old daughter at home, and while teaching in the junior classes at my school. I wanted to go beyond 'snap', and play something a little more 'immersive' that had sound mathematical concepts and offered solid reinforcement of number facts and recognition, while looking professional enough that would ignite some interest.

Monsters vs Robots makes number facts (addition or multiplication) fun. There are 4 different ways to play - you may find more. Each of the ways to play offers an increasing challenge for the development and reinforcement of number skills. Ideally, the game is played with 2 players, but can be played with 4. Each card includes 3 forms of the number (digits, words, and traditional dice pips) to further enhance opportunity for learning. There are 13 monsters and 13 robots, with 2 of each kind for a total of 52 playing cards. Each matching pair has different dice pip combinations to further emphasis number families.

How to play: Solo - 1 player sorts and orders all cards into rows from smallest to biggest.

Duel - 2-4 players. Start with a set (monsters or robots, or mixed) of shuffled cards face down each. Players turn over the top card simultaneously, and the player with the higher card wins the duel and collects the cards in a pile next to them. If the cards are equal, play continues with the next round with the winner taking previous rounds’ cards.

Sidekick - 2-4 players (addition or multiplication). Same as 'duel' except 2 cards are turned for each player simultaneously. The player adds their total (sum or product) and the higher combination wins the hand.

Heroes - 2-4 players (addition or multiplication). Players start with 5 cards in their hand while the rest of their set (monsters or robots, or mixed) remain in a pile face-down. The first player plays two cards from their hand (sum or product) which the other player/s must then attempt to beat using their own combination of two cards. Play order rotates clockwise in the next hand.

On top of the 4 game modes, Monsters vs Robots works well played as a traditional game of ‘snap’, ‘memory’ or ‘go fish.’

I hope you enjoy Monsters vs Robots. big idea learning.

• March, 2013 – awarded by wife as most distracting project for quality time with her.