This game challenges students to find equivalent names for numbers. In Tribuation, students must search the gameboard for 3 numbers in a row (vertically, horizontally or diagonally as in a word search) that combine to make the target number. In this game, however, there is a prescribed formula for combining the numbers. Students must multiply the first two numbers then add or subtract the third number to produce the target number
Students quickly learn that any string of three numbers produce four different results since the string of numbers can be considered both forwards and backwards as in word searches. Consider that the numbers 3, 5 and 8 are in a horizontal row. These three numbers produce the following results when combined in the formula:
- 3 x 5 + 8 = 23
- 3 x 5 - 8 = 7
- 8 x 5 + 3 = 43
- 8 x 5 - 3 = 37
Note that the student may not begin with the middle number. Once again, students will perform many mental calculations in a search for a viable solution on the gameboard.
This game was originally a board game in the 1980s but has been developed into a classroom game using a gameboard template designed to be inserted in a sheet protector and used with dry-erase pens so that students can easily circle and record solutions. Two different approaches are effective in using this game: (1) students search for one solution for 6-8 different target numbers, and (2) students search for many different solutions for one number. Samples of both types of activities are included in the Tribulation directions packet for teachers.
Read more about the Tribulation Game on Mathwire.com to download instructions and templates that can be inserted in sheet protectors for daily use.
Encourage active participation in class by using whiteboards and templates. Both tools should be regulars in classroom lessons and each student must be required to participate in these mini-assessment activities.
Teachers who effectively incorporate whiteboard and/or template activities gather useful data about which students understand or are proficient, which students need some additional guided practice or instruction and which students are missing some of the prerequisite skills for the particular lesson or need a different approach to the concept or skill.
Be sure to check out these Mathwire collections for ideas on incorporating white boards and templates in math lessons:
Try out these strategies and begin replacing some oral classroom questioning with questions and/or problems that require each student to write down answers on whiteboards or math templates. These mini-assessments require students to stay on-task and and holds each student accountable for explaining math concepts in words, pictures, and numbers. Plus, students get to see how their peers explain a term or picture a mathematical problem which adds to their own problem-solving repertoire.
Use the book Two of Everything to 
introduce students to the doubling pattern. Students will enjoy the story and predict what will happen each time something is put into the magic pot.
Make the math connection even more concrete by using a pot and linking cubes to illustrate the story. Students may use a Magic Pot Workmat to record the input and output, then write a rule.
Extension: Extend the activity by using the magic pot and simple rules to create data sets. Students should guess the rule by giving an input number and telling the output that would result. By not stating the rule, students provide more time for other class members to generalize the rule. Each guess simply provides another data set for students to enter in their table.
Enrichment: After reading Two of Everything, challenge students to solve NCTM's 5 Coins problem: Would you rather have 1000 coins or 5 coins and a Magic Doubling Pot that works 10 times? Students might work in pairs and use in/out charts to record their solutions.
Be sure to check out the Mathwire Earth Day Math Activities collection as you plan for this important celebration. Include math activities in your daily plans with activities from PBS Math ONline and other internet resources.
You're sure to find something for every age students as you peruse this collection.
