3 in a Row Math Warm Up

Here is a math game your learners can play with the bee grids included in our Math Kit bundle

3 for Bee - Finding the Difference 

  • bee grid per player
  • counters in various colors
  • 6 sided die
  • 9 sided die
To play:
  • roll both dice
  • find the difference - e.g. 5 and 3 with a difference of 2
  • take the difference in counters and place them on the grid
  • put counters down in sets of 3 (matching colors)
  • e.g. the student in the photo below will partition 1 off their next number and use a blue, but use another color for the remainder 
bee math warm up


Students can play independently or within a small group. 

3 in a row math warm up

Another math game for use with the bee grid (or any 9 grid) requires pattern blocks.

Pattern Block Slide

  • one student is squares, the other triangles
  • to start play they take turns to put one shape down at a time (3 each in total)
  • they then take turns to slide one of their shapes across or down
  • they keep sliding until someone gets 3 in a row
  • this is a game for mathematical thinking and strategy and perfect for a quick warm up
  • it also helps students to see different arrangements of their 3 shapes throughout the game - leading to fluency with numbers
shape slide math warm up


bee shapes pattern blocks game

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