Build it and Break it: A MATH GAME

I will share a decomposing math center activity called “Build It and Break It.” This creative math center encourages students to construct numbers using cubes, break them into parts, and explore decomposition through drawing and writing number sentences.

Whether for morning work, math centers, or small group math, this engaging activity will teach students the different ways to make numbers using a hands-on math activity.

What’s Build It and Break It?

Decomposing Math Center Activity: Build It and Break It

“Build It and Break It” is a simple yet effective activity that fosters number sense and critical thinking. Here’s how it works:

Provide students with cubes, and instruct them to build a specific number.
Once the number is built using a tower of cubes, challenge students to break it into two parts.
Have them draw a visual representation of their decomposition using two crayon colors on the recording sheet.
They write a corresponding number sentence. The number sentence could also be a statement using words.
Challenge them to put the cubes back together and break the number differently.

This activity will strengthen their understanding of place value as students break numbers into smaller units. Secondly, it promotes critical thinking skills by encouraging students to analyze and make decisions when breaking numbers into parts.

This activity can be used in different settings, including morning work, math centers, and small-group math. For the best results, model how to play this game by providing students step-by-step instructions. Model collaboration and discussion among students, as they can learn from each other’s work. This can be done by completing this activity with a student.

Introduce larger numbers or encourage students to break down numbers in multiple ways to enrich ready students. As an extension, have students compare and contrast their decompositions, fostering a deeper understanding of number relationships.