There’s nothing quite as fun as teaching my students new games to play in the classroom. One of the easiest ones to teach them to play during math time is “Roll-A-Snowman“. This game not only helps with their number recognition (because it involves dice), but also reinforces the need to work together as a group, which is important with the amount of collaborative grouping we use nowadays. I find my students are more motivated to learn and participate whenever a game is involved.
Roll-A-Snowman is just one in a series of "Roll-A-_____" dice games I use throughout the year. I change the theme on a monthly basis, using other things such as jack-o-lanterns, turkeys, and bunnies, all with the same concept. But during December and January, it's all about snowmen!
Introducing Roll-A-Snowman: Whole Group
Any time I introduce my students to something new like this, I gather them at the carpet area to demonstrate the game to them as a whole group. I usually grab a small group of students to assist me and be my models. 
During whole group time, I pull out the giant inflatable dice set because it helps them to see the numbers better. I also draw the instructions on the whiteboard. One student holds "the snowman", which serves as the referee. (The referee is the one who watches the group to make sure they're playing fairly and honestly.) We sit as a class and play Roll-A-Snowman a couple of times through, until they really get it.
Small Group Practice (Working in Groups of 4)
The game requires very little prep and is something students can choose to play with their classmates during Workshop Time. Once I've trained them how to play correctly and feel that they are capable of doing so on their own, I leave everything in a basket for them to check out on their own. 
When I'm ready to let the students play on their own, I put them into groups of 4. Each group has the game instructions, 1 die to share, 1 snowman 'referee" and a dry erase lapboard for each person. It works well to have them sitting on the carpet in a small circle to play. I prefer to use the dry erase lapboards so they don't waste any extra paper, but if a classroom doesn't have those for students to use, it works just as well to have them use a plain piece of white paper. 
Independent Choice (Working in Pairs or Trios)
Roll-A-Snowman is a great activity to leave in a basket for students to select as their activity during Math Workshop time. I encourage them to work in pairs or trios to play the game. Roll-A-Snowman is also comes in handy on rainy days when the students have to play inside during their recess and lunch time. 
Be sure to download your own copy of the Roll-A-Snowman printable I created here.
