Teach Math by Playing Dreidel in the Classroom

Celebrate Hanukkah and Enhance Curriculum with the Dreidel Game

Dec 18, 2008 Nicki Heskin

Playing dreidel is a great activity to introduce Hanukkah in the classroom as well as introduce or reinforce math and game-playing skills.

In addition to the introducing cultural aspect of the game during the Hanukkah season, there are great math skills, adaptable to many ages, to be explored by playing dreidel in the classroom. Additionally, dreidel reinforces turn-taking, trustworthiness, decoding symbols and if playing with a winner, sportsmanship.

How to Play Dreidel

Here are some kid-friendly instructions for how to play (please feel free to copy and use):

Distribute tokens evenly among all players sitting in a circle (tokens can be pennies, nuts, beads, etc.)

Each player places one token in the middle of the circle to create "the pot." A player spins the dreidel and if the letter on top is:

• Nun - Do nothing
• Gimmel - Take all the tokens from the pot
• Hay - Take half the tokens from the pot (round up if odd number)
• Shin - Put one more token in the pot

Repeat the steps above for each player in order until there is a winner. This can be:

• The player with the most tokens after each player has had an equal number of turns.
• The player with the most tokens when the first player runs out of tokens.
• The player who collects all the tokens.

It's also helpful to print out full-page size Hebrew symbol with the name and meaning to hang up for reference while they are playing. Playing in smaller groups of 6-10 kids is preferable to one game for a full class, as too much waiting in between turns can lead to fidgeting, and it works better when they can all see the dreidel and be close to the counters.

Dreidel and Math Curriculum Tie-Ins

There are many math skills that can be reinforced while playing dreidel. The most obvious connection is counting half the pot when spinning hay. If the pot contains an odd number of tokens, this is also a chance to discuss even and odd numbers as well as rounding.

Multiplication skills can be added by exploring the number of players and how many tokens will start the pot. The game can be modified if desired by multiplying the starter pot by an additional token per person each round and discussing the totals (that is, the first round each player contributes one token, the second round two and so on).

Older children can figure out how to distribute an initial pot of tokens among the total players using division. They can also keep an easel or white board nearby and have players take turns describing the action in the pot with a running equation. Each player can also create a running equation to describe the action for their own tokens.

Tips for Successful Dreidel Games

• If the classroom has carpet, have some lapboards or similar flat surface available to spin the dreidel.
• A larger dreidel will be easier for kids to see – the plastic kind that opens up to hold candy or gelt is good because it spins easily and falls quickly because it is light (just leave it empty and tape it closed).
• Be prepared with how to choose who goes first. Either spin for it (similar to how you would spin for first with dice – gimmel is highest, they hay, then nun, then shin), or have some other plan, or the kids will squabble over this issue.
• Think in advance about whether the game will have a winner. Dreidel certainly can have a winner, as described above, or it can be played non-competitively (give them random amounts of counters with a stash to grab more if they run out and make it clear that the game is just for fun).
• It's best to have one adult around for each small group game, if possible, as they may need a little supervision until they get the hang of it. Alternately, give them a table activity to do (there are numerous Hanukkah coloring sheets, word searches, etc. online) and start each group one at a time.
• For younger children, consider having them each throw one into the pot only when a gimmel is spun and the whole pot collected. If they do it each time the dreidel changes hands the pot can get quite large and counting half can become time-consuming and challenging.

The dreidel game is a great way to creatively address game playing and math skills in the classroom during the holiday season. For more ideas on celebrating Hanukkah in the classroom, see Celebrating Hanukkah in the Classroom.

The copyright of the article Teach Math by Playing Dreidel in the Classroom in Teacher Tips/Training is owned by Nicki Heskin. Permission to republish Teach Math by Playing Dreidel in the Classroom in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Celebrate Hanukkah with the Dreidel Game

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