Work together to build and protect a town that is under attack by giant robots. Choose to upgrade the homes within the town and grow the population, strengthen the town walls or actively attack the robots.

Read the word problem and calculate the answer by adding together two numbers from 1–10. In this cooperative, action-packed game, students solve simple number stories using real-life scenarios to reinforce early addition strategies. Each correct answer contributes to the team’s efforts to protect the town, promoting both number fluency and teamwork along the way.

Will your students work together to defend the town and defeat the robots?

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Solve simple addition word problems with numbers up to 10
• ✅ Apply basic addition strategies to real-life story problems
• ✅ Strengthen number sense and early mental maths fluency
• ✅ Develop collaborative problem-solving and reasoning skills
• ✅ Engage in cooperative gameplay to reinforce learning through fun

How to Play:

1. Students are presented with an addition number story (e.g. “Tom had 4 apples. He picked 3 more. How many does he have now?”).
2. They must select the correct answer based on their understanding of the story.
3. Each correct answer helps strengthen the town - upgrading homes, building walls or attacking robots.
4. The game continues through a series of addition story questions.
5. Students work together to complete the game and save the town!

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during early maths units focused on word problems and number stories
• 💡 Great for Foundation to Year 1 students practising early addition in context
• 💡 Pair with manipulatives or picture supports to scaffold comprehension
• 💡 Replay regularly to reinforce vocabulary and fluency with solving simple equations

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Let students personalise their experience by choosing from six characters before the game begins
• 💛 Select the number of players or teams at the start of the game to suit individual, paired, or group play
• 💛 Send the QR code home for students to continue practising number stories in a fun and engaging way

Let’s Defend – Addition Number Stories to 10 helps students apply addition in real-world contexts while working as a team to protect their town from robotic threats!