Acorn Paws
Acorn Paws
2-4 players • 15 min • 7 & up
Focus: Division
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Use your cards to scoop up acorns while you practice early division. Be the player who has squirreled away the most acorns at the end of the game to win!
Skills: Division with Remainders, Probability
Game Includes
Game Includes
- 99 Acorns
- 7 Acorn Bags
- 40 Cards
- 1 Skating Squirrel
- 1 Rules Booklet
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How to Play
Educational Standards
Core Standard*: Math
Math
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Add and subtract within 20. Grade Level 2nd
- Multiply and divide within 100. Grade Level 3rd
Skills
Determine
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Acorn Paws involves a little determining as players need 1) count all the Acorns poured out of an Acorn Bag, 2) decide which card to play and 3) examine all face up cards to see what happens, such as a Dog card stopping the round.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special parent support required.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Encourage children to "use their minds" instead of their fingers to add the paws on cards facing up on the table in each round.
Remember
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
While not required, if a player pays close attention and remembers the cards played by others, they will be able to think more strategically about which card to play from their hand.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Encourage children to pay attention to cards played by others, especially the Dog, Squirrel and paw cards with 4 or 5 paws. Keeping track of these cards will help children's decision making regarding which cards to play from their hand.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Encourage children to pay attention to cards played by others, especially the Dog, Squirrel and paw cards with 4 or 5 paws. Keeping track of these cards will help children's decision making regarding which cards to play from their hand.
Predict
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
On each turn, the amount of Acorns poured from a bag varies, often a lot. Based on the number of Acorns and cards played on prior rounds, players will try to predict which cards others may play.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
While it is hard to make an accurate prediction, players will be able to increasingly estimate what types of paw cards will be played (example, cards with 4 or 5 paws versus cards with 1 or 2), as well as when a Dog or Squirrel card may be played.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Acorn Paws involves modest analysis and prediction. It is hard to make an accurate prediction, yet players will be able to increasingly estimate what types of paw cards will be played (example, cards with 4 or 5 paws versus cards with 1 or 2), as well as when a Dog or Squirrel card may be played.
During or after the game, replay and discuss moves and what worked and did not work as expected. This will help children share and learn about the analysis, decision making and strategies of others.
Practice
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Repeatedly playing Acorn Paws will allow children to learn the best times to play certain cards when you have them.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special parent support required.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Practice division whenever the opportunity arises during the day. For example, during an art activity, the teacher might say, " I have 12 markers, how many do each of the four of you get?"
Solve
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Acorn Paws includes some risk and reward analysis as players need to react to the number of Acorns available and the cards played in prior rounds in order to decide which card to play on particular turn.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
While it is hard to make an accurate prediction, players will be able to increasingly estimate what types of paw cards will be played (example, cards with 4 or 5 paws versus cards with 1 or 2), as well as when a Dog or Squirrel card may be played.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Acorn Paws involves modest analysis and prediction. It is hard to make an accurate prediction, yet players will be able to increasingly estimate what types of paw cards will be played (example, cards with 4 or 5 paws versus cards with 1 or 2), as well as when a Dog or Squirrel card may be played.
During or after the game, replay and discuss moves and what worked and did not work as expected. This will help children share and learn about the analysis, decision making and strategies of others.
Demonstrate
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players count out Acorns together to start each turn, and do math problem together to decide how many Acorns each player receives.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special parent support required.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Acorn Paws is very good for teaching division and fractions, largely because of the manipulatives and different visual methods for counting and dividing. The instructions provide clear guidance, however, educators may want to encourage other approaches such as mental math depending on the capabilities of the children and level of math being taught in class.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Special Needs
Cognitive
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Let the child count the total number of Acorns using tactile manipulation. The child can then distribute the Acorns one at a time to each player until the Acorns can no longer be distributed evenly. The ones left over are the remainder. Summarize by verbally describing what was just done (e.g., "15 Acorns divided by 4 people is 3 Acorns for each person with 3 Acorns remaining.")
Communication
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Children with limited communication can help count the paws on the cards, the Acorns, and the remainders. Encourage them to label the cards laid down ("dog," "squirrel," "paws") and what they mean ("stop," "get more," "four paws").
If children are nonverbal, let them communicate by counting on their fingers to show how many Acorns there are, etc. Use gestures to point out the Dog and Skating Squirrel and ask "What do we do?" Let the child demonstrate what should happen.
Sensorimotor
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
If children with severe fine motor limitations cannot manipulate the cards, use a card holder. Allow the child to have a playing partner to move the cards and Acorns.
To make a card holder, use a piece of stiff paper. Fold the long edge of the paper up about 1 inch. This will create a lip to hold the cards. Fold the remaining unfolded paper in half the opposite direction of the first fold. This will create a tent to support the cards.
Social Emotional/Behavioral
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Because there is a distribution of Acorns for each person with each round, children may not be as frustrated as with "winner take all" games. If the child does have difficulty with others taking the remainders, you may give the child a sense of control by letting the child be the one to distribute the Acorns. Reinforce the child's generosity with the remainders.
Vision
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
The cards and manipulative should be clear enough for the child with low vision to see. Other players can label the animals or number of paws on the cards, if needed, and the child can use tactile manipulation to count Acorns.
Hearing
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing should be able to play Acorn Paws with no adaptation; however, the rules will need to be demonstrated by playing out various hands where the different cards (Dog Card, Skating Squirrel Card) are present.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Autism
Autism Strengths & Interests
Short Summary of Strengths & Interests
- Simple Addition
- Early division with remainders
- Probablility
Is good at matching visual items
This game is not appropriate
Has a good memory for sensory details, including visual, touch, taste and smell
This game is not appropriate
Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge
This game is not appropriate
Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Players can remember what cards have already been played to anticipate what cards remain to be played. For example, knowing how many squirrels have already been played can help the player know whether they have a good opportunity to obtain the Skating Squirrel.
Likes to put things in order or a sequence
This game is not appropriate
Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
After playing several rounds, players may remember how specific actions in previous rounds helped them. For instance, is there an advantage to playing a card with a low number of paws versus a high number? Is there an advantage to waiting to play the squirrel? When is it good to play the dog card?
Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Players practice division with small numbers and gain an understanding of a remainder in a division problem.
Is very concrete and literal
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Using acorns as the dividend and the number of paws as the divisor is a concrete way to illustrate division and remainders.
Learns in small "chunks" (for example, phone numbers are 3 chunks of number xxx-xxx-xxxx that are combined together)
This game is not appropriate
Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Players use some logic when thinking about what has been played and how to earn more acorns by acquiring the Skating Squirrel or stopping other players from getting the Skating Squirrel by playing the Dog card.
Likes spatial problem solving
This game is not appropriate
Can read well with good vocabulary, though may not fully comprehend content
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good fine motor skill
This game is not appropriate
Likes established routines or set ways of doing things
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
The game is played the same way with each round. Children with autism prefer established routines.
Likes manipulating, constructing or building things
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good musical abilities
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good drawing skills
This game is not appropriate
Autism Special Considerations
Appears to ignore other's communication and/or has difficulty giving eye contact to a communication partner
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Communication is not needed to play Acorn Paws, but players can be encouraged to watch and comment on the results of each round.
Has difficulty understanding complex verbal directions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The directions for Acorn Paws are somewhat complicated. Consequently it is helpful to play out several hands that can demonstrate different play options. This visual support can help the child learn the rules to the game in a concrete way.
Uses vocabulary inaccurately or demonstrates echolalia (repeating another's speech)
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Unless the child's echolalia is distracting to other players, it should not hinder the play, unless the child cannot focus on the game play. Providing a fidget toy may help the child focus on the game. If the child's attention is too impacted, the game may not be a good match.
Gets stuck repeating a verbal topic or physical actions and/or has difficulty attending to others' actions or topic.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Extensive monologues on extraneous topics may keep the child from watching what is happening in the game. If children cannot focus on the actions in the game, Acorn Paws may not be a good choice.
Has difficulty producing speech/communication
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players do not need to communicate verbally. Pointing, moving acorns, pointing to cards and using gestures will help players with communication concerns engage with other players.
Has difficulty sequencing multi-step actions and/or doing complex abstract tasks
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Multiple steps are involved in play, including selecting a card to play, determining the result of the round, and distributing the acorns. Players may need prompts at each step to move to the next step.
Demonstrates difficulty initiating and maintaining social interactions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Acorn Paws is a very visual and tactile game, which may motivate the child to want to engage with the cards, acorns, and Skating Squirrel. Use these visual motivators to prompt the child to point to, label, count their own and others acorns, etc. Ask questions, like "What does the dog mean?" "Tell your dad how many Acorns you got."
Acts out or demonstrates avoidance behaviors when frustrated, overwhelmed, or needs more sensory input.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Fidget toys, a break for movement, or deep breathing may help the child self calm. Let the child indicate what he wants to do to calm down. Because all players (except the one who gets the remainder) get the same amount of acorns, the game may be less frustrating to the child than a different game where only one player wins everything on a turn.
Has short attention span for non-preferred activities
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
If the child likes math activities and manipulation of objects, Acorn Paws may hold his attention. If this is not a preference, the game may not be a good match. Playing with another person in a team may help the child attend.
Needs sameness or consistent routines and/or has difficulty with transitions from one activity to another
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Once the child learns the pattern of game play, the child will see the consist sequence of each round of play.
Has difficulty understanding others' feelings, intentions, and the reasons for others' actions.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players to not need to attend to others feelings. Watching what other players do and remembering cards played, may help them anticipate other players thoughts about what will happened next in the game. Adults can remind the child to watch and remember what others are doing. Discuss each round and why players chose the card they played.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Extended Play
Extra Ways to Play the Game
Let players look at all of their cards and choose cards the top 5 they want to play first. This makes the game more strategic.
Materials Needed
No additional materials are needed.
Developmental Benefits
Giving players some choice about how to play the cards provides an opportunity to think about when to play the Dog card and the Squirrel card, and whether to play cards with a high or low number of paws in order to end up with more Acorns in the end. This adds an additional element of logical and strategic thinking to the game.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Collapsible content
How to Play Video & Transcript
A game where players visually learn the principles of division.
You can play Acorn Paws with 2-4 players, ages 7 and up.
Acorn Paws teaches Division with Remainders as players work together to tally the number of squirrel paws shown on their cards, equally divide each day’s acorn collection and then determine how many remain.
Acorn Paws also helps with Probability Skills as players remember which cards have been played by other players to better predict and choose which card they will play each round, trying to receive the largest share of acorns.
First work together without counting, to randomly distribute all 99 acorns into the seven acorn bags. Make sure that some of the bags contain many acorns while the others get only a few.
Place the seven acorn bags outside of the play area, but still within reach.
Each player selects one set of cards, then shuffles their deck and places it in front of them.
Insert the squirrel figure into the base on the skateboard and then set the Skating Squirrel in the middle of the play area.
Each round players select a card to play, trying to receive the most acorns from the day’s collection. All players have the same set of cards, so choose the card you think will earn you the largest share. The player who has collected the most acorns when all rounds are played wins the game.
The game is played over seven rounds.
To start the game, all players draw five cards from their deck into their hands. The starting player chooses a bag, opens it and pours all its acorns into the middle of the play area.
The empty bag is then removed from the game.
Players count the acorns in the middle so that everyone knows how many acorns there are to collect this round.
Looking at the cards in your hand and the number of acorns in the middle, try to choose the card that will get you the most acorns when they are divided up.
Place your chosen card facedown in front of you.
When everyone has selected a card, all players turn their cards faceup at the same time to reveal their choices.
Squirrel Paws Cards
These cards determine how many acorns can be collected. Each paw represents a squirrel that has earned their equal share of the day’s acorns.
The Dog Card
This card interrupts the round.
If one or more dogs appear on the cards in play, all players’ faceup cards are discarded.
The Skating Squirrel Card
The Skating Squirrel moves around during the game and determines which player will collect the remainders.
If one or more Dog cards appear, all players discard their faceup cards. Everyone then draws back up to five cards and makes another selection, playing with the same acorns in the middle.
If no one has played a Dog card, count the number of paws on all the cards in play.
Players can work together to figure out the equation.
Divide the number of the acorns in the middle equally by the number of paws.
Then each player with a faceup Squirrel Paws card collects their share of the acorns and places them in a pile in front of themselves.
Skating Squirrel
When one of the cards in play shows the Skating Squirrel, that player skates the squirrel figure in front of themselves.
If there is more than one card with the squirrel, or there are no Skating Squirrel cards, then the squirrel does not move.
If after dividing up the acorns equally there are leftovers, these are considered remainders, and the player with the Skating Squirrel collects these acorns.
If the Skating Squirrel is still in the middle, remove these acorns from the game.
If there are no remainders, then nothing is given to the player with the Skating Squirrel.
If the Skating Squirrel has not been passed to another player in the following round, the player with the Skating Squirrel may play a Squirrel Paws card and is able to receive both their share of acorns from their card as well as any remainders from having the Skating Squirrel.
There may be a round when there are more paws than acorns, and the acorns cannot be divided equally among all the paws. When this happens, those acorns are considered remainders, and all of them go to the player who has the Skating Squirrel.
Players then discard all cards used in the current round and draw back up to five cards as long as there are cards to draw.
This concludes the round.
The next round begins with the player left of the previous starting player choosing another acorn bag to empty into the middle of the play area. Then game play continues.
The game ends when all seven bags have been emptied, or when all the cards have been played.
Each player counts the total number of acorns they have collected and the player with the most acorns wins! If there is a tie, the tied players share the victory.
Lend a paw and earn your share of acorns with Acorn Paws!
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