The Boxes Game
Strategically place digits to form numbers or build equations as close as possible to your target. Strengthen your math logic, arithmetic fluency, and critical thinking skills with every move!
What is the game about?
A strategic digit-placement game challenging students to create numbers closest to a target, blending decision-making with math practice.
What math(s) is being developed?
- Number sense and place value
- Probability and risk management
- Arithmetic reasoning (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Strategic decision-making and logical thinking
- Mental math and estimation fluency
What transferable skills and character traits are also being developed?
- Communication skills - verbally sharing their strategies and justifying choices.
- Thinking skills - Thinking strategically about where to place digits based on the information given, and unknown data.
- Risk-taker - using knowledge of probability to take calculated risks when placing digits.
- Knowledgeable - balancing multiple conceptual understandings and applying them in new situations.
How can you maximize learning?
- Pause often for strategic discussions
- Promote reasoning explanations
- Collaboratively analyze rounds
What's the game about?
Boxes is an exciting math game that challenges students to strategically place randomly generated digits into boxes, aiming to create numbers as close as possible to a given target. For instance, in a place value scenario with a target of 50, students must thoughtfully decide whether to place digits in the tens or ones position—or discard less useful digits.
In multiplication scenarios, such as aiming for a target of 29, students place digits in boxes that multiply together, striving to reach the closest possible product. Other game variations include addition, subtraction, and division levels, each requiring students to make careful choices and adapt strategies.
But caution: once a digit is placed, it’s locked in! This engaging mechanic encourages strategic thinking, adaptability, and makes every round both challenging and enjoyable.
The Math:
Boxes emphasizes essential number sense and operational concepts, integrating place value, probability, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and arithmetic reasoning. In place value rounds, students practice understanding how digit placement affects number magnitude. For example, placing a 4 in the tens box quickly brings them close to the target number of 50. Probability plays a key role as students consider the likelihood of drawing more favorable digits later.
In operational rounds—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—students continuously calculate outcomes mentally, refining their computational fluency. For example, in a multiplication level targeting 29, placing a digit like 4 early can open up multiple strategic possibilities (4 × 7 = 28 or 4 × 8 = 32), encouraging flexible thinking. Similarly, in addition or subtraction scenarios, students quickly evaluate combinations and mentally test multiple outcomes to reach optimal solutions, deepening their arithmetic reasoning skills naturally.
Teacher Tips:
- Use the Pause Button: Regularly pause the game to let students thoughtfully discuss their strategies. Ask probing questions like, "Why did you place that digit in the tens box? What made you choose addition over subtraction?"
- Encourage Thinking Aloud: Invite students to explain their reasoning at the board. For example, explore why placing a large digit early in multiplication might limit future choices, helping students visualize strategic options and alternatives.
- Use the data: The teacher screen shows each student's responses. Check these to see who might need additional support.
- Post-Game Analysis: After each round, the teacher's screen displays all digits rolled. Leverage this opportunity by asking, "What was the best possible score and why?" This fosters deep analysis, collaborative problem-solving, and justification skills.
- Explore Over-Target Strategies: Remind students that the winner is the closest number—even if it slightly exceeds the target. For example, if the target is 50, achieving 51 might be preferable to settling at 45, expanding students’ strategic decision-making.
- Versatile Classroom Set-Up: Boxes can be effectively integrated into whole-class discussions, enhancing collective problem-solving and group dialogue. Additionally, it’s ideal for small-group stations, allowing students to independently engage at appropriate challenge levels.