The Hoop Game
This game played with a hula hoop and bean bags demonstrates all the math that can be explored with a simple tossing game. Start with a small set of beanbags, no more than 5 or 6. Each child gets to toss the beanbags one by one into the hoop. How many land inside the hoop? How many land outside of the hoop? How many beanbags in all? Each round gives children practice seeing and naming smaller parts of a total number in a variety of ways.
The Hoop Game Directions
This download provides an opportunity for teachers to easily set up and play this game, or send it home with parents!
Why is this important?
When children play The Hoop Game they get to explore the part-part-whole relationships within a given number of beanbags. Taking apart and putting together numbers in flexible ways is an important foundation for later number operations.
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The Early Math Collaborative works to improve math instruction for young children in three ways:
- Professional development
- Research
- Dissemination