Play Batter Up!

What You Need:

• 5–6 sheets of paper cut into approximately 40 cards
• Pencil
• Scrap paper for math work, scorecard and baseball diamonds

What You Do:

1. Begin by making playing cards with your child. Choose a concept your fourth grader needs to review, such as simple equations. On each card, write an equation (n+5=10). Use your child’s textbook or homework to find examples of these equations to use. Do not write the answers on the cards.

    

2. Next, print or write out this scorecard showing innings, outs and runs:

If you’re playing with two teams, just change “Player” to “Team”.

3. Give players scrap paper and pencils. Each player should draw a diamond on his paper for inning 1.

4. Begin with Player 1. Show him a card and ask him to solve the equation on his scrap paper (set a time limit of 30 seconds). If the player answers correctly, he moves to first base and puts an X at first base on his diamond. If he answers incorrectly, it’s an “out” and you mark it on the scorecard.

5. Player 2 is now up and gets a card. Follow the same steps as Player 1. Every time a player answers correctly, he moves up a base until he gets to home plate and scores a “run.” Mark runs on the scorecard.

6. Continue switching between players until a player gets three outs. Start a new inning and have players draw new baseball diamonds. Play 9 innings or set a score limit, for example, the first player to get 10 runs wins.

7. After playing “Batter Up!” together a few times, write the answers on the backs of the cards so your child can play independently with a friend.

If you're playing with two teams, each player on the team should solve the equation and then come up with a final answer together. Decide on a team spokesperson to give the final answer.