Counting tally marks: what children learn
In this game each card describes a tally, such as two gates of five and three single marks, and children match it to its total. Counting the gates in 5s first and then the single marks is quicker and more reliable than counting every mark.
Supports part of Common Core 2.MD.D.10: tally marks are a common way to record data for picture and bar graphs. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.
Common Core connection: 2.MD.D.10. This is focused practice for part of the standard.
How to play
Pick a card on the left, then the card on the right that matches it. Each game has 6 pairs. Wrong matches are counted as mistakes, and you get three stars for a game with no mistakes.
Step by step
- Find the gates. Each gate is a group of five marks: four upright and one across.
- Count gates in 5s. Two gates is 5, 10. Three gates is 5, 10, 15.
- Count on the single marks. After the gates, count on in 1s: 15, 16, 17.
- Check the total. A tally of 20 is four gates and nothing else. Use this to check bigger totals.
Worked examples
Example 1: Tally: 1 gate of five and 3 single marks
Working: 5, then 6, 7, 8.
Answer: 8
Example 2: Tally: 3 gates of five and 1 single mark
Working: 5, 10, 15, then 16.
Answer: 16
Example 3: Tally: 4 gates of five and 2 single marks
Working: 5, 10, 15, 20, then 21, 22.
Answer: 22
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Counting a gate as 4 because only four marks stand up. Draw a gate slowly and count each mark aloud, including the one that crosses.
- Drawing a fifth upright mark instead of crossing the four. Practice drawing tallies to 10 so the crossing mark becomes a habit.
- Losing count of long rows of single marks. Group marks into fives before counting.
Activities to try at home
- Keep a tally of how many times someone says a chosen word at dinner.
- Tally the colors of cars on a short walk, then count the totals together.
- Draw a tally for each family member's age and compare.
Ideas for the classroom
- Students tally birds seen from the window during one lesson.
- Show a tally on the board for three seconds and ask students to write the total.
- Give a jumbled set of single marks and ask students to redraw them as gates.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a color-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
How should I choose this game for my learner?
Supports part of Common Core 2.MD.D.10: tally marks are a common way to record data for picture and bar graphs. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.
Why are tally marks grouped in fives?
Groups of five can be counted in 5s, which is faster and makes mistakes easier to spot.
Can it be played with a keyboard?
Yes. Tab to a card, press Enter to pick it, then pick its partner.