Twosday Challenge Activity
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This Twosday Challenge is the perfect way to infuse a bit of mathematical fun on an upcoming mathematical holiday – Twosday!
This puzzle is just one of many free printable number challenges that I have created for my own classroom and am sharing with you!
Be sure to check out my entire collection of free printable math puzzles.
What is Twosday?
Twosday is the name being given to Tuesday, February 22, 2022 since the date will be written as 2/22/22 in the US and 22/2/22 in much of the rest of the world. On top of the date being composed of all 2’s, the day of the week (Tuesday) sounds like the name of the holiday (Twosday).
I first learned about this concept of Twosday as a mathematical holiday in one of the math teacher facebook groups I am a part of. Since then, I have seen someone ask for ideas for celebrating Twosday in math class on facebook at least once a week.
I decided that the Twos to Nines Challenge that I sometimes use with students during the first week of school would be the perfect activity to modify to create a Twosday Challenge.
Challenge Rules
Using exactly four twos, add arithmetical symbols between the twos to make each of the target numbers. You may use plus, minus, times, and divide symbols, as well as parentheses and brackets for grouping.
I created a printable template for the challenge that already has the four twos written in. Students just have to add various mathematical symbols to make each expression mathematically correct.
Source of Challenge
I discovered this challenge based on the number two in Pierre Berloquin’s 100 Numerical Games book.
I picked up a copy of the book several years ago at Goodwill, and it has inspired numerous classroom activities over the years.
The 20 x 9 Challenge was also inspired by this same collection of puzzles.
Ideas for Using in Class
If you wanted to have students working vertically on dry erase boards for this activity, you could set up the Twosday Challenge the same way I set up the Twos to Nines Challenges at the beginning of the year.
I printed off copies of the Twosday Challenge on regular copy paper. You could easily screenshot the activity and turn it into a virtual activity using Google Slides or Desmos Activity Builder. If you create any digital versions, please share them with me so I can add a link to this post.
In order to save paper, I decided to only print a class set of copies. I will be giving the challenge in a Dry Erase Pocket. You can pick them at places like Dollar Tree and Target’s Dollar Spot, but I’ve found they are much cheaper when you buy a classroom set from somewhere like Amazon.
If you don’t have a classroom set of dry erase pockets, you could also use heavy duty sheet protectors. But, I highly recommend investing in a classroom set of the pockets since they are so much more durable.
MATH = LOVE RECOMMENDS…
I cannot imagine teaching math without my dry erase pockets! They instantly make any activity more engaging and save me countless hours at the copy machine since I can use the same class sets of copies year after year.
Here are my current go-to recommendations:
I love using dry erase pockets in my math classroom because it is so easy to just slide any activity into the pockets and have them be instantly eraseable!
Free Download of Twosday Challenge Activity
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Twosday Challenge (PDF)
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Twosday Challenge (Editable Publisher File ZIP)
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Puzzle Solutions
Puzzle solutions are available on a password-protected solution page. I do not openly post the puzzle answer keys because one of my goals as a resource creator is to craft learning experiences for students that are non-google-able. I want teachers to be able to use these puzzles in their classrooms without the solutions being found easily on the Internet.
Please email me at sarah@mathequalslove.net for the password to the answer key database featuring all of my printable puzzles and math worksheets. I frequently have students emailing me for the answer key, so please specify in your email what school you teach at and what subjects you teach. If you do not provide these details, I will not be able to send you the password.
Not a teacher? Go ahead and send me an email as well. Just let me know what you are using the puzzles for. I am continually in awe of how many people are using these puzzles with scouting groups, with senior adults battling dementia, or as fun activities in their workplace. Just give me enough details so I know you are not a student looking for answers to the puzzle that was assigned as their homework!