Number Detectives: Math Games & Investigations

Download as PDF

Prerequisite:

Open to students entering grade(s): Grade 1 - 3

Course Description:

Discover the magic of numbers through play, exploration, and investigation! This dynamic course invites young mathematicians to build deep number sense and computational fluency through engaging games, puzzles, and hands-on investigations. Students won't just memorize facts—they'll discover patterns, invent strategies, and develop their own mathematical thinking. Through collaborative challenges, mathematical routines, and playful problem-solving, learners will build confidence and flexibility with numbers. Whether racing to make ten, hunting for number patterns, or solving real-world math mysteries, students will experience mathematics as an exciting adventure where curiosity leads to understanding!

Learner Outcomes:

Students will:

  • Develop deep number sense through exploration, pattern recognition, and mathematical investigations.
  • Build fluency with addition and subtraction through strategy development and meaningful practice.
  • Construct understanding of place value by discovering relationships between ones and tens.
  • Invent and share multiple problem-solving strategies, learning from peers and building mathematical community.
  • Communicate mathematical thinking clearly through drawings, manipulatives, stories, and discussions.
  • Develop confidence, perseverance, and a love of mathematics as creative problem-solvers.

Methodology:

Students will learn mathematics as active investigators and problem-solvers in a constructivist learning environment.Each session features engaging mathematical routines (number talks, counting collections, quick images) that build number sense, followed by rich investigations where students explore mathematical concepts through guided discovery. Collaborative games reinforce skills while promoting strategic thinking and mathematical discourse. Students use concrete materials to build understanding, then represent their thinking through drawings and symbols. Regular opportunities for sharing strategies help students learn from one another and see mathematics as a creative, sense-making endeavour. This playful, inquiry-based approach ensures students don't just learn procedures—they understand why mathematics works and develop lasting confidence as mathematical thinkers.

Teacher / Instructor:

All sessions: Tina Rivera

Course Offerings

Back to Search