RELEAF! A Mathematical Card Game
Emily Shorthouse
INTRODUCTION
RELEAF! is a card game that engages players in computation fluency, mathematical problemsolving strategies, subitizing and development of addition and multiplication concepts. By using
the different variations of this game, players will build their basic math facts in a fun and
collaborative way. Inspired by the card game Snap! RELEAF! takes a Westcoast approach by
using local tree identification as symbols on the cards. The game requires the players to draw
on basic math facts while also working collaboratively to count tree symbols on the cards. This
game is targeted for the primary years but can be adapted for players from Kindergarten to
Grade 3 but, like Snap!, can be entertaining for children of all ages.
GAME FEATURES
RELEAF! can be adapted for different grade levels, classrooms and to support the
development of a variety of math skills. I have included four different variations of the game
that work on computational fluency in addition and multiplication, as well as seriation. These
variations are:
1. Releaf! (Appendix A)
2. Counting Leaves (Appendix B)
3. One to 10 (Appendix C)
4. Leaf Times (Appendix D)
Due to the nature of this game using local tree identifications, this game spreads cross
curricular while bringing in an element of place-based play.
CONNECTION TO CURRICULUM
RELEAF! can be used to support the development of basic numeracy, math facts, and
counting skills, seriation, problem solving and collaboration. Depending on what variation of
the game is played, it addresses and supports a number of the BC mathematics curriculum big
ideas, curricular competencies and content.
BIG IDEAS
Computational Fluency
* Kindergarten: One-to-one correspondence and a sense of 5 and 10 are essential for fluency
with numbers
* Grade One: Addition with numbers to 10 can be modelled concretely, pictorially, and
symbolically to develop computational fluency
* Grade Three: Development of computation fluency in addition and multiplication
CURRICULAR COMPETENCIES
Reasoning and analyzing
* Kindergarten through Grade 5: Develop mental math strategies and ability to make sense of
quantities
Understanding and solving
* Kindergarten through Grade 5: Develop, demonstrate, and apply mathematical
understanding through play, inquiry and problem solving; visualize to explore mathematical
concepts; develop and use multiple strategies to engage in problem solving; engage in
problem-solving experiences that are connected to place, story, cultural practices, and
perspectives relevant to local First Peoples community, the local community and other
cultures
Communication and representing
* Kindergarten through Grade 5: Communicate mathematical thinking in many ways; use
mathematical vocabulary and language to contribute to mathematical discussions; replan
and justify mathematical ideas and decisions; represent mathematical ideas in concrete,
pictorial, and symbolic forms
Connecting and reflecting
* Kindergarten through Grade 5: Reflect on mathematical thinking
CONTENT
* Kindergarten: Number concepts to 10, decomposition of numbers to 10
* Grade One: Ways to make 10, meaning of equality and inequality
* Grade Three: Multiplication concepts
ASSESSMENT
RELEAF! is a card game that works well for formative assessment. The game is useful in
helping students to find different strategies to come up with basic math facts, while working on
fluency. By sharing and talking about their strategies with the other players, students are able
to use peer and self-assessment to understand some of these math concepts.
Appendix A
1. RELEAF!
Suggested grade level: Kindergarten/Grade One
Number of players: 2-4
The Cards
54 cards that include a mix of tree identification: Bigleaf Maple, Western Redcedar, Horse
Chestnut and Flowering Dogwood. The value of the card is the number of leaves on that card,
between 1-5. The worms card represents zero.
Object
To find the same number represented as the face card.
To Play
Shuffle deck and distribute cards face down equally to each player. Leave one card in middle
of game face up. Players turn card over until they find a card in their hand with that same
number and call out Releaf! During the game, if a player runs out of cards in their face-down
pile, collect the used cards, shuffle and reintroduce to the players.
This Variation addresses the curricular competency found in the reasoning and analyzing of
grades K-5 of developing mental math strategies and ability to make sense of quantities. It also
supports the understanding and solving competency of these grade levels as it allows for
players to develop, demonstrate, and apply mathematical understanding through play, inquiry
and problem solving, visualize to explore mathematical concepts, engage in problem-solving
experiences that are connected to place, story, cultural practices, and perspectives relevant to
local First Peoples community, the local community and other cultures. Furthermore, this
variation works on the content aspect of number concepts to 10 for kindergarten years and
meaning of equality and inequality for grades K-1.
Player 1
Player 2
Appendix B
2. COUNTING LEAVES
Suggested Grade level: Kindergarten/Grade One
Number of players: 2
The Cards
54 cards that include a mix of tree identification: Bigleaf Maple, Western Redcedar, Horse
Chestnut and Flowering Dogwood. The value of the card is the number of leaves on that card,
between 1-5. The worms card represents zero.
Object
Players work together by adding up their cards to find the sum of the centre cards.
To Play
Shuffle deck and distribute cards face down equally to each player. Turn two cards over in
centre. Working collaboratively, players turn over one card at a time, simultaneously and try to
add up those cards to reach the number that is shown. Treat worm cards as zero.
This Variation addresses the curricular competency found in the reasoning and analyzing of
grades K-5 of developing mental math strategies and ability to make sense of quantities. It also
supports the understanding and solving competency of these grade levels as it allows for
players to develop, demonstrate, and apply mathematical understanding through play, inquiry
and problem solving, visualize to explore mathematical concepts, engage in problem-solving
experiences that are connected to place, story, cultural practices, and perspectives relevant to
local First Peoples community, the local community and other cultures. Furthermore, this
variation works on the content aspect of number concepts to 10 for kindergarten years and
meaning of equality and inequality for grades K-1.
2 + 1= 3 + 4 NO 2 + 1= 3 + 0 YES
Player 1 Player 1
Player 2 Player 2
Appendix C
3. ONE TO TEN
Suggested Grade level: Grade One/Two
Number of players: 2
The Cards
54 cards that include a mix of tree identification: Bigleaf Maple, Western Redcedar, Horse
Chestnut and Flowering Dogwood. The value of the card is the number of leaves on that card,
between 1-5. The worms card represents zero.
Object
Players work together to create a series of cards representing the counting numbers 1 to 10.
To Play
Shuffle deck and distribute cards face down equally to each player. Players turn over cards
one at a time simultaneously and try to add up the counting numbers starting from 1 and going
in sequence to 10. When they have a sum to represent the next number in the sequence, they
place cards down in a line. Thus, they are showing the seriation of smallest number to largest
number.
This Variation addresses the curricular competency found in the reasoning and analyzing of
grades K-5 of developing mental math strategies and ability to make sense of quantities. It also
supports the understanding and solving competency of these grade levels as it allows for
players to develop, demonstrate, and apply mathematical understanding through play, inquiry
and problem solving, visualize to explore mathematical concepts, engage in problem-solving
experiences that are connected to place, story, cultural practices, and perspectives relevant to
local First Peoples community, the local community. Furthermore, this variation works on the
content aspect of number concepts to 10 for kindergarten years and meaning of equality and
inequality for grades K-1.
1, 2, 2+1, 4, 2+3, 3+3,…..
Appendix D
4. LEAF TIMES
Suggested Grade level: Grade 3+
Number of players: 2
The Cards
54 cards that include a mix of tree identification: Bigleaf Maple, Western Redcedar, Horse
Chestnut and Flowering Dogwood. The value of the card is the number of leaves on that card,
between 1-5. The worms card represents zero.
Object
To collect the most cards. Players collect cards by multiplying their face cards with the centre
cards. Player with the higher product wins that round.
To Play
Shuffle deck and distribute cards face down equally to each player. Leave one card between
players, face up. Players turn over cards and must multiply the card they turn over using the
centre card. They must each say the product of these two factors out loud. Whichever player
has the higher number collects the cards.
This variation addresses the big idea in grade three of development of computation fluency in
multiplication. It also supports the curricular competency found in the reasoning and analyzing
of developing mental math strategies and ability to make sense of quantities. It also supports
the understanding and solving competency of grade three level as it allows for players to
develop, demonstrate, and apply mathematical understanding through play, inquiry and
problem solving, visualize to explore mathematical concepts, engage in problem-solving
experiences that are connected to place, story, cultural practices, and perspectives relevant to
local First Peoples community, the local community. Furthermore, this variation works on the
grade three content that supports multiplication concepts.