Accumulation

Mastering computation skills is necessary to succeed in math. This activity allows you to focus on addition, subtraction, multiplication or division and provides plenty of practice! Use a calculator if you would like to practice the skill or scratch paper if you would like to focus on working out problems. As you become more comfortable with the game, try out some of the variations, or create your own!

What You Need:

• One deck of cards (Print a deck.)
• An Accumulation record sheet for each player (Print these out, or create your own.)
• A calculator or scratch paper and pencils

What You Do:

1. Decide what operation you would like to use (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division). Starting scores are as follows: Addition = 0, Subtraction = 1,000, Multiplication = 1, Division = 1,000,000.
2. Play begins with the dealer placing a well-shuffled deck, face down, in a pack, in the center of the playing area.
3. Players take turns drawing one card at a time. After each draw, players perform the chosen operation and record the result on their record sheet. For example, if a player drew an 8 in the first round of a multiplication game, they would compute 1 x 8 = 8. (For the sake of this game, all face cards will count as 10.)
4. In subsequent rounds, players build off of their total scores. For example, a player who has earned 8 in the first round may draw a 4 in the next round, making their new total 8 x 4 = 32.
5. Play continues until the pack is depleted. In addition and multiplication games, the player with the highest score wins. In subtraction and division games, the player with the lowest score wins.

Variations:

• For younger players, use a smaller set of cards. You can also limit the operation choices to addition or subtraction.
• To make the standard game more challenging, change the rules so that the operation changes after each round.
• Change the values of certain cards. For example, jokers = 0, one-eyed jacks = 100, the queen of spades = 50...