Math games for back to school? You bet! Here’s a short list of reasons why you should consider building math games into your back to school plans. Keep reading to see five great examples of games and what they can accomplish!
I know many teachers stress out about the noise, the supply management, the storage, and so on. There is no doubt that you need to teach students HOW and WHY we play math games explicitly. Once you establish the culture and climate, you can reap the rewards!
5 Benefits of Math Games
1. Increased motivation.
Games can be a fun and engaging way to learn math, which can help to increase student motivation. Studies have shown that students who play math games are more likely to be engaged in the learning process and persist in facing challenges. If you set the stage, game time is certainly motivating for students!
2. Improved understanding.
Games can help students to develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts by providing them with opportunities to practice and apply what they are learning in a fun and interactive way. Games can also help students to develop problem-solving skills and to learn to think strategically. We push students to do SO much with pencil and paper. Games are a completely different way to get fluency work and practice.
3. Enhanced collaboration.
Games can help to promote collaboration among students by requiring them to work together to achieve a common goal. This can help students to develop communication and teamwork skills, as well as to learn to appreciate the perspectives of others. Sportsmanship and fair play are super valuable life skills as well. I know in my classroom, some students struggle with this more unstructured time and need coaching, but it is SO important for them to learn to work together.
4. Differentiated instruction.
Games can be a great way to differentiate instruction for students of all levels. For example, you can provide students with different levels of challenge or allow them to choose the games that they want to play. This can help to ensure that all students are engaged and learning at their own level. Games are also amazing to use during math intervention time.
5. Fun!
Games are simply fun! When students are having fun, they are more likely to be engaged in the learning process and to retain what they are learning. So, don’t be afraid to incorporate games into your math lessons!
Math Games for Back to School
Block Out Addition Game
This game is PERFECT for refining basic addition facts (two versions are included, facts through 10 and facts through 20). Students need to make different combinations and it gets them thinking in so many ways. Even my top students love this game! I introduce it for back-to-school, but my students revisit it all year.
Back to School “Times” (It’s even a FREEBIE!)
Perfect for building multiplication fact fluency–and great back-to-school theme! Super easy to teach and just needs dice and counters. Did I mention that it’s free?
Double Trouble Game
Do you have students who still need work on doubling and halving? This is SUCH a critical skill, so the beginning of the school year is a great time to tackle it!
Fall Into Factors Game
More work with multiplication facts in a way that encourages students to look for patterns and common factors. It comes in two versions for differentiation!
All of these games can be found in my math game bundle at a huge discount!
Thanks for stopping by! Check out even more math game posts here and here.
