Thanksgiving: Roll it, Show it!

Thanksgiving Math Game: Roll It, Show It! A Fun and Engaging Way to Build Number Sense

Looking for a fun and educational activity to keep students engaged around Thanksgiving? "Roll It, Show It" is a versatile math game that strengthens number recognition, counting, and addition skills! Plus, it’s perfect for young learners in PreK through early elementary. Here’s how to play, with three adaptable versions to keep it fresh and challenging for different skill levels.

What You'll Need:

  • Dice (regular or foam)

  • Game board (with a turkey template or feather outline)

  • Feathers (paper cutouts, or even real craft feathers for extra fun!)

  • Markers or crayons

Version 1: Building Number Recognition (Best for PreK and Early Number Learners)

  1. Set Up: Use a single die to roll numbers. You can use a regular dice, or a foam dice to customize the dots based on the specific numbers your students need to practice. I find that numbers like 6, 7, 8, and 9 are trickier for early learners, so you might want to emphasize these.

  2. Play: Students roll the die, identify the number, and write it on their game board. Then, they use feathers to match the number on the turkey’s tail.

  3. Strategy Tip: Instead of clearing all feathers each time, encourage students to add or remove only as many feathers as needed to make the new number. For example, if there are 5 feathers on the turkey and the student rolls a 2, they can remove 3 feathers to show 2. This approach reinforces basic subtraction and number sense without requiring a complete reset each time.

Perfect for students needing practice with numbers 0–10!

Version 2: Addition & Subtraction with + or – Dice (Building Number Sense for Early Elementary)

  1. Set Up: Have students start with a specific number of feathers on the turkey—let’s say 5. Use a foam cube to create a “+ or – dice,” with increments like +1, -1, +2, -2, and even +0 or -0 for variation.

  2. Play: Students roll the + or – dice and adjust the number of feathers on their turkey according to the result. For instance, if they roll “+2,” they add two feathers to the existing count. If they roll “-1,” they remove one feather. They continue playing until they reach either 0 or 10 feathers.

  3. Why It Works: This game version helps students build flexibility with numbers and understand both addition and subtraction concepts in a concrete way. It’s an excellent introduction to simple arithmetic operations and encourages mental math.

Version 3: Rolling Two Dice for Addition Practice (Adding Fun with Double Dice!)

  1. Set Up: For this version, students will roll two dice. If you have double dice (dice within dice), these work great and save time!

  2. Play: Students roll the dice and record an addition sentence using the numbers as addends. For example, if they roll a 3 and a 4, they write “3 + 4 = 7.” Then, they use feathers in two colors—one color to represent each addend. So in this case, they might use 3 green feathers and 4 yellow feathers, placing them on the turkey’s tail.

  3. Count & Record: After they place the feathers, students count the total feathers to find the sum and verify their addition.

This version supports early addition skills and visual counting, giving students a fun, hands-on way to explore math concepts.

Make It Extra Fun: Craft Feathers!

To take this game to the next level, consider using real craft feathers for an added sensory experience. It’s amazing how a tactile element can make learning more engaging for young students.

Why "Roll It, Show It" Is So Effective

Each version of this game offers a unique way to reinforce math skills and build number sense in a playful, Thanksgiving-themed way. By giving students multiple approaches to play, they can experience math in a concrete, hands-on way that supports various learning styles.

Whether you're working with counting, addition, or simple subtraction, "Roll It, Show It" is adaptable to your students’ needs—and fun to play!

Click here to visit my TpT store to purchase!

Kinder Kid at Heart

I've been a teacher for 16 years! I am Nationally Board Certified in Early Childhood Education and have worked hard each day to meet the needs of each student in my classroom! I taught Kindergarten for 13 years and transitioned to Gifted 1st Grade (2nd Grade curriculum). I loved both grade levels & have made many resources to help my students (and me!) be successful! I also enjoy traveling, eating yummy meals (IG: my.food.source to follow along with the meals my BF makes!) and trying new things.

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