How Many Up? How Many Down? – Elementary Math

Purpose

To find combinations of 5 and/or 10.

Overview

For this game, hold up some fingers and ask, “How many are up? How many are down?” Use five or ten fingers each time. When using five fingers, use only one hand. For ten fingers, of course you will need both hands.

About the sequence

Part 1 introduces the game using one hand to show five. Part 2 moves to showing quantities of ten using two hands.

Part 1

(Hold up five fingers on one hand). How many fingers are up? (5) (Then put some fingers down.) How many are up? How many are down?

While children are enjoying their building of mastery, feel free to repeat. When children are eager for more, try Part 2.

Part 2

(Hold up ten fingers on two hands). How many fingers are up? (10) (Then put some fingers down.) How many are up? How many are down?