Owl Solve That!

Explore

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players explore arranging numbers in combination with different operations to create options for potential successful equations.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
Encourage children to physically rearrange the cards on the number line in order to help envision different equations. Alternatively, make sure all players have paper and pencil in order to write out different equations; since doing rapid, creative mental math may be challenging for all but the most skilled math students.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
Owl Solve That! is a great game for exploring math operations and flexible thinking as children combine numbers in different ways to create winning equations. Encourage children to physically rearrange the cards on the number line in order to help envision different equations. Alternatively, make sure all players have paper and pencil in order to write out different equations; since doing rapid, creative mental math may be challenging for all but the most skilled math students.

Determine

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players need to decide which operations and numbers to use in order to make equations that result in the number card they chose.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
Encourage children to physically rearrange the cards on the number line in order to help envision different equations. Alternatively, make sure all players have paper and pencil in order to write out different equations; since doing rapid, creative mental math may be challenging for all but the most skilled math students.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
Owl Solve That! is a great game for exploring math operations and flexible thinking as children combine numbers in different ways to create winning equations. Encourage children to physically rearrange the cards on the number line in order to help envision different equations. Alternatively, make sure all players have paper and pencil in order to write out different equations; since doing rapid, creative mental math may be challenging for all but the most skilled math students.

Compare

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players compare equations that they develop in order to find one that uses the most number cards.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
Help children to compare results of combining different numbers with different operations. Players may have a tendency to use addition and subtraction as these are easier. Play a few hands at the beginning with one set of numbers and compare various equations results. Try starting with larger numbers instead of smaller ones, and encourage using all four operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
Owl Solve That! helps children learn the effects of different operations and number combinations as they compare alternative approaches to creating successful equations. After a player wins a round, have them show what they did to solve the problem. Watching how others think about solving for the number allows them to compare their own strategies to others'.

Remember

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players need to know the four primary operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
Ask children to review their thinking. Players may have their addition, subtraction, multiplication or division facts wrong. Review presents and opportunity to update memory for math facts.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
Owl Solve That! helps children learn the effects of different operations and number combinations as they compare alternative approaches to creating successful equations. If students are having trouble with math facts, use a math rubric for multiplication and division to use as a visual reminder.

Predict

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players will think about what will happen if they combine numbers and operations in different ways.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
While Owl Solve That! is more of a speed game than a strategy game, there is a little prediction involved as players try to quickly select number cards and add operations in order to make a successful equation, or to pick one of their solution cards they predict can be used to create a successful solution.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
Owl Solve That! is good for developing quick thinking skills, which include predicting which cards are most likely to result in a successful equation. Specifically, prediction involved as players try to quickly select number cards and add operations in order to make a successful equation, or to pick one of their solution cards they predict can be used to create a successful solution.

Plan

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
As players create different equations in an attempt to equal a number card, they are planning out different sequences of cards and operations.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
Children plan out the order of cards and operations as they explore and compare different options. Therefore, like the other skills being used, it would be helpful to encourage children to physically rearrange the cards on the number line in order to envision different equations. Alternatively, make sure all players have paper and pencil in order to write out different equations; since doing rapid, creative mental math may be challenging for all but the most skilled math students.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
Children plan out the order of cards and operations as they explore and compare different options. Therefore, like the other skills being used, it would be helpful to encourage children to physically rearrange the cards on the number line in order to envision different equations. Alternatively, make sure all players have paper and pencil in order to write out different equations, since doing rapid, creative mental math may be challenging for all but the most skilled math students.

Experiment

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players will try different mathematic approaches before settling on an equation that results in their targeted number card.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
Playing Owl Solve That! is a great way to experiment with different ways to solve the same problem. Children plan out the order of cards and operations as they explore and compare different options. Therefore, like the other skills being used, it would be helpful to encourage children to physically rearrange the cards on the number line in order to envision different equations.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
Playing Owl Solve That! is a great way to experiment with different ways to solve the same problem. This builds flexible thinking, adaptability and decision-making skills, along with math operation skills. Children plan out the order of cards and operations as they explore and compare different options. Therefore, like the other skills being used, it would be helpful to encourage children to physically rearrange the cards on the number line in order to envision different equations.

Practice

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Every round of Owl Solve That! involves practicing math operation knowledge and skills.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
Make sure all players have paper and pencil in order to write out different equations, since doing rapid, creative mental math may be challenging for all but the most skilled math students. Encourage children to share and discuss their work which will help build communication skills and expand the learning of all the players. If students are having trouble with math facts, use a math rubric for multiplication and division to use as a visual reminder. The game enables players to practice using basic math facts.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
When reviewing what various players did, note the areas that players are not using. For instance, some players may only choose a low number outcome, indicating they may be avoiding doing higher level operations or combinations of operations. If this is the case, playing in teams may be helpful. This will enable the players who need practice to have support and not give up. If students are having trouble with math facts, use a math rubric for multiplication and division to use as a visual reminder. The game enables players to practice using basic math facts.

Solve

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
As players experiment with different number cards and operations, they are learning what equations are getting closer to solving the math problem. They modify and adapt their approach until they ultimately are able to create a successful equation.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
Encourage children to remain flexible and try something new if they get stuck. Also, play the game and discuss. Then, play again with the child trying a different strategy such as making shorter equations more quickly. Discuss again and compare the advantages and disadvantages.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
Owl Solve That! involves if/then reasoning in both deciding whether to make longer equations and determining which cards and operations to use in making an equation. Encourage children to remain flexible and try something new if they get stuck. Also, play the game and discuss. Then, play again with the child trying a different strategy such as making shorter equations more quickly. Discuss again and compare the advantages and disadvantages.

Review

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players review together at the end of each round when they share their equations to determine if they work successfully.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special adult support required. Verbally sharing and discussing results helps children build communication skills and learn from the approaches and strategies of others.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
No special adult support required. Verbally sharing and discussing results helps children build communication skills and learn from the approaches and strategies of others.

Demonstrate

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Simultaneously with reviewing, players are demonstrating whether their equation successfully resulted in the number on their Number Card.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special adult support required. Verbally sharing and discussing results helps children build communication skills and learn from the approaches and strategies of others.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
No special adult support required. Verbally sharing and discussing results helps children build communication skills and learn from the approaches and strategies of others.

Create

What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players create math equations in an effort to discover one that will result in the number on their Number Card.

How Parents Can Assist Learning
Encourage children to remain flexible and try something new if they get stuck. Also, play the game and discuss. Then, play again with the child trying a different strategy such as making shorter equations more quickly. Discuss again and compare the advantages and disadvantages.

Learning Implications and Educator Support
Owl Solve That! involves experimenting with and ultimately determining which cards and operations to use to create a successful equation. Encourage children to remain flexible and try something new if they get stuck. Also, play the game and discuss. Then, play again with the child trying a different strategy such as making shorter equations more quickly. Discuss again and compare the advantages and disadvantages.

Cognitive

Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
The instructions contain suggestions for simplifying the game for younger children. These simplifications are also beneficial for children with cognitive delays.

Communication

Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Encourage players to explain their solution in order to stimulate communication.

To practice written communication, encourage children to write out their different winning equations.

Sensorimotor

Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Children who are tactile learners or need practice with sensorimotor skills can benefit with the use of pen and paper, calculator, abacus, or other math manipulators.

Social Emotional/Behavioral

Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Not recommended for children who find math frustrating.

Vision

Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
For visually challenged players, use large tactile materials, such as an abacus, cuisinaire rods or other tactile materials to solve problems.

Hearing

Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Players with hearing limitations can play Owl Solve That! without any modifications.

*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards

Extra Ways to Play the Game
Have all players use same solution number. Fastest to solve the equation, regardless of the number of cards used, wins. Ties are possible.

Materials Needed
No extra materials needed.

Developmental Benefits
When all players use the same number, it levels the playing field. When players choose different numbers, players who choose lower numbers may be at an advantage.

Extra Ways to Play the Game
Have all players use same solution number. Every one has one minute to solve the problem. Whoever uses the most cards to reach a solution wins the round. Note that you can change the time limit depending on the age of the players.

Materials Needed
Use a timer set to one minute.

Developmental Benefits
Placing a time limit on the turn increases the need for quick thinking and adds an additional competitive element.

Extra Ways to Play the Game
Give players a 2-point bonus for using all 4 operations in their solution.

Materials Needed
No additional materials needed.

Developmental Benefits
Players will get more practice creating high level equations using all operations. This will also lead to more mental flexibility, as they realize there are multiple options for getting the same result.