Work together to build and protect a town that is under attack by giant robots. Every correct answer gives players a chance to upgrade homes, grow the town’s population, boost the defences, or launch an attack on the invading robots. Will your team create a thriving and secure town before time runs out?

This version focuses on three-digit addition and subtraction strategies. Students solve calculations by partitioning numbers into hundreds, tens, and ones, then rearranging and regrouping them to find the answer. These foundational strategies support deeper understanding and mental flexibility with larger numbers.

Each choice students make influences the strength of their town, encouraging collaborative decision-making and celebrating accurate maths thinking. At the end of the game, a final town report shows how their responses impacted the population, defence level, and overall success of their community.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Solve three-digit addition and subtraction problems using partitioning and regrouping
• ✅ Apply place value knowledge to rearrange and break apart numbers
• ✅ Build fluency and confidence with written and mental strategies
• ✅ Develop collaborative problem-solving through shared gameplay
• ✅ Engage with maths in a goal-driven, narrative-based format

How to Play:

1. Students are presented with three-digit addition or subtraction questions.
2. Each correct answer lets them choose to upgrade, defend, or attack.
3. Decisions impact different areas of the town’s growth and protection.
4. The game continues until all questions are completed.
5. A final town summary shows how well the players did across all categories.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during your addition and subtraction strategy unit
• 💡 Great for Year 2–4 students developing confidence with three-digit numbers
• 💡 Ideal for partner or small group gameplay in maths rotations
• 💡 Extend learning by having students model their strategies with MABs or place value mats

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 play as a homework or revision task

Let’s Defend – Three-Digit Addition & Subtraction combines strategy and collaboration with core number skills, giving students a purposeful and engaging way to practise essential operations!