Math Games: Helping Students Remember

Hi, this is Brandi, from The Research Based Classroom. I love to use math games for fact fluency practice but I get impatient with students constantly asking me what games they can play or how to play.  It's taken me years to come up with a good solution, but I love this. I just snap a picture of the game when it's all set up and students are playing it. Then I post the picture with the name of the game on the wall. Simple. Students can then look on the wall to not only see what games they can play, but it also gives them a quick reminder of how to play.  It also helps me remember how each game is played from year to year. And best of all....far less questions.

Math Challenges - Keep It Simple!

Hi everyone,

It is Teresa here from Games 4 Learning!

I am really excited to be back here blogging on Who's Who and Who's New! 

This time I would like to share with you two of my favorite math challenges. 

Actually they are two of the favorites of my extension math group that I take each week! These are the ones that they beg for! 

The children love them because they are a great challenge and I love them because they are so easy to prepare! The first one is one that I can Can You Make It?

Can You Make It?

Need: 3 sets of small number cards with the digits from 0 – 9, 20 larger cards with 2 digit or 3 digit numbers (Choose 2 digit numbers or 3 digit numbers according to the ability of the players.)

Lay out the number cards face down on the table. Each player will need a pencil and paper.

Play this game with the 2 digit numbers to begin. If children are ready for a more advanced version, try playing with the 3 digit numbers.

One person chooses 6 of the small number cards and displays them for the others to see. They then choose one large card with a 2 digit or 3 digit number. 

Players are now given a set amount of time to create an equation that equals the 2 or 3 digit number. Players can only use the digits on the small number cards and can only use each of these digits once unless 2 or more of the same digit have been chosen.

It is as simple as that!

Here are a few of their attempts.

   

 

The next one is a game that I call 3 Rolls to Make 100!

3 Rolls to Make 100

This is a dice challenge that can be adapted to suit different ability levels!

Need: 2 dice, pencil and paper for each player

In this version, players attempt to create 3 numbers that will add to 100 or as close as possible to 100.

To Play: The teacher or a player rolls the dice and tells the two numbers that are rolled.

Players make a 2 digit number from these 2 numbers, e.g. roll 3 and 5 and students can record 35 or 53. Once the number is recorded, it can’t be changed.

Repeat twice so that players have recorded three 2 digit numbers.

Player add these three numbers together and the player who is closest to 100 is the winner.

Play several rounds.

Students use lots of different skills as they choose their numbers and add them. Sometimes working out who is closest to 100 creates a great discussion with more skills required to calculate this. 


Variations of 3 Rolls to Make 100

Addition Games
•5 Rolls to Make 200: Roll 2 dice three times to create three, 2 digit numbers. Add them together. Aim to get as close as possible to 200.

•3 Rolls to Make 1000: Roll 3 dice three times to create three, 3 digit numbers. Add them together. Aim to get as close as possible to 1000.

•2 Rolls to Make 7000: Roll 4 dice two times to create two, 4 digit numbers. Add them together and aim to get as close as possible to 7000.

Multiplication Games
•Roll 3 and Make 200: Roll 3 dice and arrange the numbers in a multiplication equation of 2 digits x 1 digit. Aim to get as close as possible to 200.

•2 Rolls to Make 1000: Roll 2 dice two times to create two, 2 digit numbers. Multiply them together and aim to get as close as possible to 1000.



Want more?



I have more math game ideas in 5 Fantastic Math Games available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Games-1842203

And there are loads more great math game ideas at my blog at Fun Games 4 Learning! 

 

Dealing Up Some Fun in Math

Hi everyone! It is Teresa here from Fun Games 4 Learning. I'm excited to be back here blogging on Who's Who and Who's New!

Many of you will be winding down with the end of the school year and today I have some games that could be perfect for this time of year!

Did you know that a simple deck of playing cards can be a fantastic math resource?

There are loads of math games that can be played with an inexpensive deck of cards.

These games will get students adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing and comparing numbers and even fractions.

One of the best things about math card games is that children see them as a game and don’t consider themselves to be ‘doing math’ while they play.

Here are three of my favorite games below.

Each game is played with the picture cards removed and Aces are valued at 1.

 

Race to 27

This game has players adding cards until they reach 27.

2 - 4 players

Deal out all of the cards to the players. Players put their cards into a pile in front of themselves with cards face down.

The first player turns over their top card and places it in the center.

The next player turns over their top card placing it on top of the first card. This player adds the value of the two cards and tells everyone the total.

The next player does the same adding the value of their card to the previous total.

Play continues until the total reaches 27 or over. The player who puts down the card that takes the total to 27 or over takes all of the cards in this pile and shuffles them into their pile.

Play continues for a set time or until one player has no cards left.

The winner is the person with the most cards.

For a more advanced version you can play Race to 50 or Race to 100.

 

 

Fraction Draw

This game has players create and compare fractions.  

2 - 4 players

Shuffle cards and place them face down in a pile in the center of the players.

Each player draws two cards from the center pile. (Or someone can deal two cards to each player.)

Players create a fraction by placing one card above the other with the smallest valued card placed on the top.

All of the fractions are compared and the player with the largest fraction wins the round and keeps their cards.

The other players return their cards to the pile which is shuffled and placed in the center.

Each player keeps adding the value of the cards they have won until one player reaches 50 and becomes the winner.

(HINT: Fractions can be compared by using a calculator to divide the top number by the bottom number or by using a fraction model.)

 

 

Flip Three

This is a memory style card game with a twist. Players make equations from the three cards that they flip over.

2-4 players

The cards are all placed in rows face down.

 

Players take turns to flip over three cards and attempt to make an equation using the three cards. The equation can be an addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, e.g. 3+3=6, 8-5=3, 2x1=2, 10÷2=5.

 

If the player can make an equation they keep the cards. If they can’t make an equation the cards are flipped back over in the same place.

Continue playing until only 7 cards remain. The winner is the player who has the most cards.

 

Well I hope these games are enough to get you started dealing up some fun in math.

If you'd like more math games ideas or printables, make sure you visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

 

 

     Till next time,

 

 

Shower Curtain/Tablecloth Games

I don't know about you but my bag of tricks is getting pretty low on ideas by this point in the school year. One of my last ditch efforts to refocus students on learning is by tricking them into it of course. I'm talking about Shower Curtain/Tablecloth Games!

I am here from K's Classroom Kreations to share with you a simple and inexpensive way to get learners up and engaged. Shower curtain games work great all year long, regardless if you are introducing new skills or reviewing some that were previously taught. I purchase plastic tablecloths or shower curtains during end of season sales and at my local Dollar Store.

I like to create generic game boards that can be used for many different games. For example, this round tablecloth was cut in half and turned into two matching garden themed centers. First I hand drew a few flowers onto the mat using a permanent marker. I used a die-cut machine to punch out some circles and laminated them. I also traced the petal shape onto construction paper and laminated those too. Now I just use a dry erase marker to write on the pieces. When the center is complete I can wipe off the pieces and use it all again later.

*Ideas to try:

- Number Representation- Write the numeral in the center. Have 1 different way to represent the number on each petal (tally marks, tens frames, addition, etc.). Students sort the pieces like a puzzle and put them on the flower they belong to.
- Word Families- Write a different word family on each center piece (-ap, -ing, -en). Write words or attach pictures to each petal. Students will sort and match pieces.

Here is a simple Blends Board. I have played this game several ways. The first way is to have students stand around the edges and throw a koosh ball onto the board. They then need to come up with a word containing the blend they land on. An alternative is for the teacher to call out a word and to have students move to the correct circle after listening carefully for a blend. Young readers could also search books for words with the pattern, record on sticky notes or index cards, and set word cards in the correct circle. The options are endless!

Another generic game board is in a Hopscotch format. I suggest using the tablecloths with backing for these games and also taping the board to the floor to prevent slipping and sliding. I like using this game board with phoneme or syllable segmentation. I call out a word and have students hop to show the correct number of sounds or syllables. They love it! For a math twist have students skip count by a certain number as they hop along the board.

Lastly, here is a little piggy game. Let me start by saying I AM NOT an artist (although my firsties think I am). I hang the curtain on my smartboard and trace out whatever image I would like in the center. It's a simple way to make custom boards without your little ones learning your true art abilities ;) Have students answer trivia, math facts, comprehension questions, etc. and move along the board from start to finish. This blank board can be used in any way that you choose.

I hope you were able to find a new game idea to help get through the next few weeks!! If you like what you read please be sure to stop by my blog or Instagram page to see the ideas in action.

Have you used shower curtains or tablecloths before to create games? What are the favorites in your class?

Want to put this idea in your bag of tricks for later? Pin here:

Are You Game? Mastering Multiplication Facts with Games!

Hi Everyone,
It’s Teresa here from Fun Games 4 Learning. As you can guess from my blog name and also my TpT store, I am all about games.

I love using games in the classroom especially for math!

It is wonderful to see kids so enthusiastic about a game that they don’t even realize that they are learning and applying math skills

Today I would like to share some of my favorite games that I use for reinforcing multiplication facts.

As children play it is amazing how quickly they develop an instant recall of their basic facts. My favorite games are those that are quick and easy to prepare and quick and easy to play. The first one I have to share with you is a game that I call Find It First.

FIND IT FIRST
Find It First is a simple game that can be used to practice many different skills. It is a quick game for 2 players. Once the first round is over, 2 new players can take their place.

On the board or a piece of card write the answers to the facts that are to be studied. For example, to study multiplication facts for 7 write the answers randomly over the board or card. I then add a few random numbers also. I like to use a small whiteboard.

Make sure the numbers are where the children can reach them with a pointer or a ruler. The two players then stand either side of the numbers. The caller or the teacher calls a number fact, e.g. 4x7. The first player to find the answer and point to it scores a point. When we play it in the classroom, the first player to score 3 points is the winner. After that we choose two new players.

The kids really love this fast paced game.

 

Another favorite for basic facts is a simple domino game.

DOMINO KEEPERS MULTIPLICATION
This is a game for 2 players. All of the dominoes are placed face down in the centre. Both players pick up a domino at the same time. Each player multiplies the numbers on their domino and the player with the highest answer keeps both dominoes. If both players have the same answer, each keeps a domino. The winner is the player with the most dominoes when all dominoes have been used.

 

 

 

This game ticks all of the boxes - the kids love it, it is simple to play and all you need is a set of dominoes!

I also have many printable games that can be used for multiplication facts.

NO PREP MULTIPLCATION GAMES 

These no prep games are really popular with the kids and also the teachers. Many teachers use them for homework and have the parents play the games with their children. All the kids need are pencils and some games require dice.

The games are ideal as a math center or as an activity for fast finishers.

There are some freebie games for you to try at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-1199527 . 
 



There is a larger collection of 26 no prep multiplication games available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Games-1197085

You will find that the games are differentiated so that you can have some children working on times 2 facts while others are challenged by harder facts.

In these games the 2 players compete to either make the longest line or to make four in a row. There are also games where players have to find a line of 3 numbers that can create a multiplication family, e.g. 9, 4 and 36. I love the challenge of this game as it really does make the kids think and apply their facts.

 

Well Happy Multiplying! I hope you and the kids enjoy these games!

Till next time!

Teresa