Please respect copyright laws.

Original purchaser has permission to

duplicate this file for teachers and students in only one classroom.

Grades 3-4-5
ü
CCSS

Multi-Match
Mathematical Practices
MP2: Reason abstractly
and quantitatively.
MP3: Construct viable

Math Games Guide arguments and critique

the reasoning of others.
MP4: Model with
Match mathematics.
MP7: Look for and
numbers,
3
make use of structure.
expressions
2
MP8: Look for and
10
Area express regularity in
& models. 15 30 repeated reasoning.
squa
A = ? sq. units re un
its Includes

es fso h
r
• Activity and game

m ens i
its 5
sq. un instructions
A= ?
• Templates for making

Ga aat
6

g ppl your own game cards

tin emS

E
• Template for a recording
ea Ts

E sheet (English/Spanish)
Cr ddese

A= ? s
q. units
• Folding card storage pocket
FR
cllu
u

• Brief instruction cards

by Angie Seltzer
Inc

(English/Spanish)
In

  Related Resources
  FREE Game Card Sets FREE Resource Guide

Related Game Card Bundles Goal Checklists

Contents
Multi-Match Activity & Game Instructions
  Matching Activity........................................... 2
  Pairs Challenge............................................ 2
  Clear the Deck.............................................. 3
 Concentration............................................... 3
  Crazy Match.................................................. 3
  Make Your Own Cards.................................. 3
Using a Math Games Bulletin Board.............4-5
Create-A-Game Templates................................6-10
Title, Wilds, & Instruction Cards......................11
Folding Card Storage Pocket................................12
Available Multi-Match Card Sets...................13
Using the Spanish Version.............................13-15
About Multi-Match Cards
Multi-Match card sets help students understand
equality of various expressions and/or models.
Any two of the four cards with the same value or
meaning can be considered “a match.”
Activity & Game Instructions
These instructions can be used with any set of
Multi-Match game cards. Download free or priced
printable card sets, or make your own using the
templates in this file.
Matching Activity
Setup: Shuffle the cards from the four suits. The
Wild cards are not needed. Make copies of the
recording sheet for each student. (The “Create a
Game” template on page 6 is the recording sheet
for student-made card sets.)
Instructions: Have students separate the star
cards from the other cards and organize them in
some way. For example, they can line up the star
cards from least to greatest. Then have students
match each remaining card to a star card.
Remind students that each star card will have
MULTI three other matching cards marked with other
symbols. After students finish sorting, have them
copy the various number names or models onto
the recording sheet or plain paper.
MATCH

With these cards, students of mixed abilities or languages

can help each other improve their fluency with mental Variations: To make the activity easier, use
math and models. The cards can be used for activities by only two suits, or use four to six groups of four
individual students, pairs, or small groups. matching cards.

About the Author Pairs Challenge

Angie Seltzer is a mathematics curriculum
specialist who designs and develops
time-saving products for teachers. She holds
a master’s degree in mathematics education
from The Ohio State University.
Angie has more than 30 years of professional
publishing experience as an editor, writer,
and/or designer of math textbooks and
supplements including assessments. She also
has 10 years of math tutoring experience.
Multi-Match Math Games Guide: Grades 3-4-5 (English/Spanish)
(Published 12/17/2016)
Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC, 549 Acorn Drive, Dayton, Ohio
45419. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. The original recipient of this
file has permission to print and copy pages of this document for use in only
one classroom. Further distribution of any portion of the printed or electronic
Players: 2-6   Time: 2-10 minutes
Object: Earn the most points from matches.
Setup: Remove the Wild cards and deal six
cards to each player.
Instructions: Players look at their cards to see
if there are any matching cards. Each matching
pair is worth 1 point. A set of three matching
cards is worth 3 points. The player with the most
points wins. (Some games will end as a tie.)
Repeat the game several times. For two players,
there are enough cards to play three times
without needing to reshuffle the set of cards.
usands

document or electronic posting of the file on any storage or retrieval system

nds

50  × 10 5 × 100
hundred tho

50,000 ÷ 10
ten thousa

is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Instead of

thousands

800,000 ÷ 
millions

hundreds

10 8 × 10,00
0
ones
tens

sharing this file, share a link to the author’s store so that each recipient will 5, 0 0 0

receive notifications of updates. Thank you for respecting the hard work of
this author. Find out about related products at www.mathpaths.com.
Samples are from FREE Set 4-B11,
Spanish Translations by Maria Rotta Multiplying and Dividing by 10.
 Solitaire Game: Clear the Deck cards back over. The next player then takes a
turn. Two cards of the same suit do NOT count as
Players: 1 1
3 a match. Play goes on until all cards are picked
2

Time: 10- 18 9 12
up. The player with the most pairs wins.
20 minutes
A = ? sq. units A = ? sq. units A = ? sq. units Crazy Match
Object: Pick
This game is similar to Crazy 8s or Uno.
up all of the
cards by 4 3
Area Players: 2-4  Time: 15-30 minutes
18
6 6

finding pairs. square units Object: Be the first to run out of cards.
Setup: Deal A = ? sq. units A = ? sq. units

Setup: Shuffle the cards including all four Wild

nine piles of cards. Deal seven cards to each player. (Use
cards, face Area Area
5
two identical sets if more than two students are
up, four per 20 36 8

playing.) Turn up one card for the Discard pile.

pile. (Omit square units square units
Place the rest in a Draw pile, face down.
Wild cards.)
A = ? sq. units

Samples are from FREE Set 3-M43,
Same Area, Different Perimeter.
Instructions: The player looks at the nine
piles. If two cards match, the player picks up
those cards and stacks them to the side. This
will reveal two new cards. Now, the player
looks again for a matching pair and picks them
up. The player continues looking for matching
pairs and picking them up. When there are no
visible matching pairs, the game is over. But, if
the player continues until all stacks have been
cleared, the player wins!
Variations: If there are no matching pairs, the
player may choose to fill in empty stacks in order
to continue the game. Also, two students can play
together, taking turns picking up pairs of cards
and stating the values.
Concentration
Players: 2-4  Time: 15-30 minutes
Object: Match the most pairs of cards.
Setup: Place the set of cards face down in an
array of six rows of six or nine rows of four. (Omit
the Wild cards.)
Instructions: Each player, in turn, turns up two
cards, states the value of each card, and decides
if the cards match. If the cards match, the player
picks up and saves the two cards and the turn
ends. If they do not match, the player turns the
Instructions: Each player, in turn, chooses a
card from his or her hand to match the top card
on the Discard pile. The player must match the
suit, the value, or play a Wild card. When a
card is played, the player should state the value
of describe the model to give other players a
chance to make sure the cards match. If a player
has no card to play, he or she must draw two
cards from the Draw pile and the turn ends.
When a player plays a Wild card, the player must
name a suit for the next player to match. Play
goes on until a player runs out of cards. That
player wins.
Make Your Own Cards
You and your students may enjoy creating your
own game card sets. To create a card set, first
copy pages 6-11. Use heavy paper if possible.
Complete the “Create a Game” form on page
6. (For Spanish, use page 14.) Check to make
sure that the values match. Then copy the
game content onto the card templates on pages
7-10. Choose a title and write it on the card on
page 11. (For Spanish, use page 15). Cut the
cards apart. (You may want to copy the original
filled-out pages in case you want to reprint the
same game later.) Print page 12 to make a
storage pocket and write the title on the pocket.
Tack the storage pocket to a bulletin board.

Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com. 3
Using a Math Games Bulletin Board
A bulletin board is a great way to manage card sets and
keep the cards accessible. This is an advantage because
students can use cards between other activities. A sample
bulletin board is shown below.
Preparation
Title and Graphic  Create a title for the bulletin board such
as “Math Games.” Print and mount the Multi-Match graphic
from page 5. Create labels for card sets and returned cards.
Game Cards  Choose one or more sets of Multi-Match
game cards to feature on the bulletin board. (At least one
free set is available for each grade level.) Print several
copies of the game cards and cut apart. You may want to
print extra sets in case cards get lost or damaged.
Card Storage Pockets  For each set, print and fold the
card storage pocket. Also print extra pockets for returned
cards. Mount the pockets and place the cards in the pockets.
Answer Keys  Each published card set comes with a
recording sheet and answer key. You may want to make the
answer keys available for reference during games. If so, use
a file folder to make a pocket to hold the answer keys.
Introducing the Cards
Point out that the cards are labeled with suits (stars,
squares, circles, and triangles). In each Multi-Match set,
there are nine different values with four cards for each. The
varations include numbers, expressions, and/or models.
Explain that during games, any two of the four matching
cards can be paired with each other. This is illustrated by
the small two-way arrows on the Multi-Match sign. Discuss
game instructions for one or more games and answer any
questions that students have.
Reminders for Students
• When finished with a set of cards, reshuffle them if you
have time. Return them to the appropriate pocket.
• Each card set has a unique border. Put stray cards away
by looking for the cards with the matching border design.
• If the Wild cards were not used during a game, remember
to put them back along with the other cards.
• The games are not meant to be a speed contest. Make
sure that your partner or others in your group can justify
whether cards match. Help each other understand the
topic. If you disagree, refer to the answer key for the set.

M at h
MULTI
3
Area

m
30 10

a e
square units

s
A = ? sq. units

G Card Sets MATCH

5

A = ? sq. units
2

15

A = ? sq. units

Card Set Card Set Card Set Card Set

Title Title Title Title Answer Keys

Returned Cards

Card Set Card Set Card Set Card Set

Title Title Title Title

Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
4 Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com.
Bulletin Board Sign  This sign shows the six ways that four matching cards can be paired.

MULTI
3
Area
30 10

square units
A = ? sq. units

6 15

A = ? sq. units A = ? sq. units

MATCH
Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com. 5
Name___________________ Date______ Game Title______________________ MULTI

Instructions: Write a different number in each of the nine boxes beside the stars. CREATE
On the lines below each box, write 3 other names or expressions for the number. A GAME
MATCH

Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
6 Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com.
 MULTI

Multi-Match “Stars” Template CREATE A GAME

MATCH

Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com. 7
 MULTI

Multi-Match “Squares” Template CREATE A GAME

MATCH

Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
8 Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com.
 MULTI

Multi-Match “Circles” Template CREATE A GAME

MATCH

Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com. 9
 MULTI

Multi-Match “Triangles” Template CREATE A GAME

MATCH

Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
10 Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com.
Title, Wilds, and Instruction Cards
Your Game Title Pairs Challenge
Players: 2-6
____________________________ Time: 2-10 minutes
Object: Earn the most points from
___________________________ matches.
Setup: Deal six cards to each player.
(Wild cards are not needed.)
By: MULTI
Instructions: Players look at their
cards to see if there are any matching
_________________ cards. Each matching pair is worth 1
point. A set of three matching cards is
_________________ worth 3 points. The player with the most
MATCH points wins. (Some games will end as a
Card Templates by Angie Seltzer tie.) Repeat the game several times.
www.mathpaths.com By Angie Seltzer, www.mathpaths.com
Concentration
Players: 2-4  Time: 15-30 minutes
Object: Match the most pairs of cards.
Setup: Place the set of cards (except
Wilds) face down in a 6-by-6 array.
Wild
Instructions: Each player, in turn, turns
up two cards, states the value of each card,
and decides if the cards match. If the cards
match, the player picks up and saves the
two cards and the turn ends. If they do not
match, the player turns the cards back over.
The next player then takes a turn. Play
goes on until all cards are picked up. The
player with the most pairs wins.
By Angie Seltzer, www.mathpaths.com
Wild Wild
Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com.
Clear the Deck
Players: 1
Time: 10- 20 minutes
Object: Pick up all of the cards.
Setup: Deal nine piles of cards, face up, four
per pile. (Omit Wild cards.)
Instructions: The player looks at the nine
piles, picks up two cards that match, and
stacks them to the side. The player continues
to look for and pick up pairs. When there are
no visible matching pairs, the game is over.
If the player clears all cards without getting
stuck, the player wins! As a variation, player
can spread cards into empty spaces and
continue until all cards have been cleared.
By Angie Seltzer, www.mathpaths.com
Crazy Match
This game is similar to Crazy 8s or UNO.
Players: 2-4 (Use a double set if there are
3-4 players.)  Time: 15-30 minutes
Object: Be the first to run out of cards.
Setup: Deal 7 cards per player. Turn up a card
for the Discard pile. Place the rest in a Draw pile.
Instructions: Players take turns matching
a card from their hand to the top card on the
Discard pile. They can match the number, suit,
or play a Wild card. If a player has no card to
play, he or she must draw two cards from the
Draw pile and the turn ends. When a player
plays a Wild card, the player must name a suit
for the next player to match. Play goes on until
a player runs out of cards. That player wins.
By Angie Seltzer, www.mathpaths.com
Wild
11
Folding Card Storage Pocket

Instructions
1. Using entire page, make
mountain folds along all three
horizontal dotted lines. Turn
folded page to look like this.

Card Pocket
MULTI Finished Pocket


MULTI

MATCH

Title
Card Pocket
2. Fold back the side flaps Grade Domain MATCH
along the dashed lines.


On the back side, tuck one MULTI

folded flap inside the other.

3. To display on bulletin board, MATCH

place tacks at black dots.

Place card set into pocket.
Title
Title

See www.mathpaths.com.
All Rights Reserved.
Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer.
Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC.

Back Side of Pocket

Card Pocket



 Available Multi-Match Card Sets
The following math card sets are available for Grades 3-5. (As of 12/19/2016)

Domain Colors and Letter Codes Goal Grade 4 Card Sets

A Operations and Algebraic Thinking
B Number and Operations in Base Ten
F Number and Operations – Fractions
G Geometry 4-F11 F Equivalent Fractions on Number Lines
M Measurement and Data
Goal Grade 3 Basic Fact Bundles
3A31 A Multiplication Facts BUNDLE (2s through 9s)
3A32 A Division Facts BUNDLE
3A23 A Multiplication & Division Fact Families
BUNDLE
Goal Grade 3 Card Sets
3-B12
B Adding 3-Digit Numbers
3-B15
B Multiplying Tens by Ones
3-F13
F Fractions on the Number Line
3-F16
F Equal Fractions: Eighths as Fourths,
Halves, and Wholes
3-F16 F Unit Fractions and
Fractions Equal to Wholes
3-G12 G Unit Fractions of Shapes
3-M32 M Counting Squares to Find Area
3-M33 M Understanding Area of a Rectangle
3-M41 M Perimeter of Polygons
3-M41 M Understanding Perimeter of a Rectangle
3-M43 M FREE Same Area, Different Perimeter
3-M44 M Same Perimeter, Different Area
4-A13 A Solving Simple Equations
4-B11 B FREE Multiplying and Dividing by 10
4-B13 B 6-Digit Numbers in Expanded Form
4-F11 F Equivalent Fractions with Square Models
4-F21 F Mixed Numbers and Fractions: Thirds
4-F21 F Mixed Numbers on the Number Line
4-F25 F Decomposing Fractions
4-F32 F Adding Fractions in Tenths and Hundredths
4-G13 G Acute, Right, and Obtuse
4-M16 M Inches, Feet, and Yards on a Number Line
4-M17 M Rectangles with Equal Areas
Goal Grade 5 Card Sets
5-A11 A Expressions with Parentheses
5-B14 B FREE Understanding Powers of Ten
5-B16 B Understanding Thousandths
5-F11 F Equivalent Fractions with Square Models
5-F12 F Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
5-F23 F Multiplying Fractions Using Area Models
5-F23 F Multiplying Unit Fractions Using Models
5-F26 F Dividing Unit Fractions by Whole Numbers
5-F27 F Dividing Whole Numbers by Unit Fractions
5-G11 G Understanding Coordinates
5-M33 M Understanding Volume
5-M35 M Expressions for Volume

Using the Spanish Version

Use pages 14 and 15 from this file instead of pages 6 and 11.

Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com. 13
Spanish
Nombre_________________Fecha_________ Juego _____________________
MULTI

CREATE
Instrucciones: Escribe un número diferente en cada rectángulo. A GAME
En las lineas, escribe otros 3 nombres o expresiones del mismo número. MATCH

Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
14 Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com.
Spanish Title, Wilds, and Instruction Cards
Desafio de pares
Título
____________________________ Jugadores: 2-6 Duración: 5-10 minutos
Objetivo: Ganar la mayor cantidad de puntos
formando pares
___________________________ Preparación: Repartir 6 cartas a cada jugador
(sin Comodín)
Instrucciones: Los jugadores miran sus
Creado por MULTI
cartas para ver si tienen cartas con las cuales
puedan formar pares. Cada par vale 1 punto.
_________________ Un grupo de 3 cartas que son pares vale 3
puntos. El jugador con la mayor cantidad de
_________________ puntos gana. (Algunos juegos terminarán
MATCH empatados) Juegue este juego varias veces.
Autor de plantillas: Angie Seltzer By Angie Seltzer, www.mathpaths.com
www.mathpaths.com
Concentración
Jugadores: 2-6 Duración: 15-30 minutos
Objetivo: Poseer el mayor número de pares
posibles. Preparación: Colocar las cartas
boca abajo (sin Comodín) poniéndolas en 6
filas de 6 cartas cada una.
Instrucciones: Los jugadores toman turnos
para ir levantando dos cartas a la vez,
voltear las cartas y decir el valor de cada
carta y decidir si son par. Si las cartas son
iguales, recoge el par y el turno pasa a otro
jugador. Si descubre que las dos cartas son
diferentes, voltea las cartas nuevamente boca
abajo. El turno pasa a otro jugador. El juego
continúa hasta que todas las cartas han sido
pareadas. El jugador con la mayor cantidad
de pares es el ganador.
By Angie Seltzer, www.mathpaths.com
Copyright © Seltzer Productions, LLC. Written and illustrated by Angie Seltzer. All Rights Reserved.
Original purchaser has permission to print copies for use in only one classroom. See www.mathpaths.com.
Limpia las barajas
Jugadores: 1 Duración: 10-20 minutos
Objetivo: Levantar todas las cartas
Preparación: Las cartas se reparten entre
9 grupos con 4 cartas por grupo (sin Comodín)
Instrucciones: El jugador mira los 9 grupos y
toma dos cartas que son par, y las pone en un
grupo aparte. El jugador continua buscando
pares y juntando cartas. Cuando no hay
más posibilidades de hacer pares, el juego
termina. Si el jugador levanta todas las cartas
sin trabas, el jugador gana. Una variación de
este juego es mover las cartas a los lugares
vacíos y continuar haciendo pares hasta que
no quede ninguna carta.
By Angie Seltzer, www.mathpaths.com
El partido loco
Jugadores: 2-4 (use dos paquetes de cartas si
hay 3-4 jugadores) Duración: 15-30 minutos
Objetivo: Ser el primero en deshacerse de sus
cartas. Preparación: Repartir 7 cartas a cada
jugador El resto se coloca boca abajo en el centro
de la mesa, voltea la primera carta de la pila y
colócala boca arriba al lado de la pila.
Instrucciones: Los jugadores deben tomar turnos
para parear una de las cartas que tiene en la mano
con la carta que está boca arriba en la mesa. Se
puede parear el número, tipo de carta (palo), o el
Comodín. Si no tiene carta para jugar, el jugador,
debe de tomar dos cartas de la pila y el pierde
el turno de parear. Cuando un jugador lanza un
Comodín, él debe de decir que tipo de carta (palo)
es, así el jugador de turno puede parear. El juego
continúa hasta que se le terminen las cartas a uno
de los jugadores. Ese es el ganador.
By Angie Seltzer, www.mathpaths.com
15