One student uses up to 24 inch tiles to build a rectangle, without letting their partner see. They describe the rectangle to their partner, who tries to build the same shape. Partners then discuss what is the same and what is different about their rectangles. Students may choose to draw their rectangles on grid paper, rather than use inch tiles.

Variation:

Students may use more than 24 inch tiles to build their rectangles or may choose to build shapes made out of two rectangles.

Before playing, students remove cards 6–10 and set them aside. 

Students flip two number cards to generate a number of tiles for a given area. Then each partner tries to build as many rectangles as possible with that given area. When partners are finished, they compare rectangles. A student gets one point for every rectangle with the given area and an extra two points for every rectangle they build that their partner does no. The player with the most points at the end of eight rounds is the winner. Students may choose to draw their rectangles on grid paper, rather than use inch tiles.

This center stage is the first time Number Cards 0–10 are used in grade 4. Students will continue to use these throughout the year. Consider copying them on cardstock or laminating them and keeping them organized to be used repeatedly.

Before playing, students remove the cards that show 0 and set them aside. Students flip two number cards and find the value of the product to generate an amount of cubes for a given volume. Then each partner tries to build as many prisms as possible with that given volume. When partners are finished, they compare prisms. A student gets one point for every prism with the given area and an extra two points for every prism they build that their partner does not. The player with the most points at the end of eight rounds is the winner.

Variation:

When students begin to play the game, use a subset of number cards (1–5), so they can build each shape. When they play subsequent times and use the number cards 1–10, they may choose to record dimensions rather than build them.

This center stage is the first time Number Cards 0–10 are used in grade 5. Students will continue to use these throughout the year. Consider copying them on cardstock or laminating them and keeping them organized to be used repeatedly.

Each group of 2 students needs at least 120 connecting cubes and a set of number cards.