Tag 10…with a Math Twist!

This a quick individual tagging game that can work for 1st and 2nd grade, but the twist works great with 3-4-5!  The game is played with everyone it.  When the music starts, students scatter and try to tag other classmates on the back (you could specify any body part) and count to 10.  Each tag is one, and students try to make it to 10…then they sit until a second game is started.  The twist adds some excitement and strategy to the game…as students tag others, they add points, but as they get tagged on their back they subtract points.  For example, if a player has tagged 3 other students, but then they get tagged two times…their score is 1…3 positive tags, but 2 negative.  The math part adds the strategy of offense (tagging) and defense (guarding their back by moving).  You could also keep the game moving by letting students add a point when they help a friend who had finished the game up and back into the game.  This concept would help the game to never end…unless you want it to!