Math Games . . . Part 2!

I've said it before ({HERE}) and I'll say it again, I LOVE math games! I find them to be such a fun, relaxed way for students to practice basic facts and skills that they forget they're working hard and learning!

There are a ton of math games out there that are amazing . . . and also require a million different components. I like math games that require little to no prep or supplies, because let's be honest, teachers are busy enough! The two games I'm going to talk about today need only a deck of cards, can't beat that!

Now, I have to be honest. Rather than brand new math games, I'm actually just going to talk about two alternative versions of a game I posted last year, let's call it Multiplication War Version 1.0:

This is a great, fun game for students to practice their basic facts. I talked about it as multiplication war, but primary students could also try it as addition (first person to add the two numbers) or subtraction (first person to subtract the smaller number from the greater one) war. The only problem I talked about then is that students need to be matched up by skill level, which is not always realistic or simple. Today, I have ways to use the basic concept, but not have to worry about students being paired up evenly. Hooray for differentiation!

Introducing, Multiplication War Version 2.0:

For this version, a pair of students splits a deck in half and at the same time, they each choose one card from the top of each deck, giving them each two cards. This creates different questions for each student, introducing an element of luck and reducing the competition to answer first. Students answer their own question and the student with the greatest answer wins the cards for that round.  Since the winner is not determined by answering first, but rather by the random cards they pull, students can freely help each other if they are stuck and the winner is determined by pure luck, not skill level. I love this version. Number 1, because I have seen strong students walk their partners through the answer, benefitting both students, and Number 2, because since it is based on luck, and not skill, it reduces the frustration felt by struggling students that they "can't win" against a stronger opponent. Anyone can win this game (even when students play the teacher!) and that makes students excited to play.

Multiplication War Version 3.0:

This is another version of multiplication war that works best when students are paired up by approximate skill level, but can be adjusted to work with most student pairings. In this version, students split the deck in half. In the first half they place all the cards that represent basic facts they both agree they are comfortable practicing. Students usually start with 5s, 10s, 1s, 2s, etc., but can add more as they learn. In the second half they place the cards that represent the basic facts they do not yet know. Students can then either each take one of the halves, and each flip one card per turn with the first person calling out the answer getting to keep the cards (like regular multiplication war) OR students can place the two halves side by side and play as in the 2.0 version, each taking one card from each deck, to create their own questions to answer.

I like this version because the added step of splitting the deck into known/practice facts and unknown facts allows students to work at a level they both feel comfortable at because each turn will produce a question that they either know or are practicing. This maintains the surprise, but also eases anxiety about suddenly seeing 8 x 8 and having no clue where to start.

Like I said, this works best for students at around the same level (for instance, they both know their 2s, 10s, and 5s, and want to practice their 9s) or can be adapted to students of different levels by using only the numbers with which the struggling learner feels comfortable. This makes the two students on a more level playing field as they are both working on questions they know or want to practice.

In addition to games, I like to bring fun into math whenever & wherever possible. I do not want students to fear math or become bored with it when they feel it is repetitious. But let's be honest, there is a lot of practice, practice, practice, so we as teachers have to keep the students interested. To keep that practice from boring students to tears, I created a little pack of Basic Multiplication & Division Math Mystery Phrases:

Students answer the questions (lots of practice of basic skills) and then use the letters to solve the mystery phrases. The mysteries are fun (gotta keep those students engaged in the material) and self-checking . . .  a bonus for busy teachers! You can click {HERE} or the picture above to grab the mysteries.

And for when students just need some good ol' extra practice, I have 60 Quick Quizzes for Multiplication (click {HERE} to grab) . . .

So how do you keep math fun? I would love to hear your tips and suggestions!

Math Games!

I was so inspired by Abby's post over at The Inspired Apple that I couldn't help but talk about my own favorite math games to use.

Whether I'm working with the whole class, a small group or with struggling learners, I always like to include games. Now don't get the wrong impression - these are not games full of fluff, they are full of content and the students are learning. Bonus: they are having *fun* while learning.

I love using math games when topics are first introduced, to review, and to assess - the trifecta of teaching! The great thing is some of these games can be done with a deck of cards or a few dice and a whiteboard - no extra prep on your part! So let's get to it!

Now I would apologize for the iPhone pictures but . . . I really just think it is my own picture-taking skills that are to blame. I am no photographer. Hand me any camera you'd like, I can't focus or get the lighting right - anyone have any tips?

Another note before we start: I am fully acknowledging that I am not the originator of these games. They have been passed from teacher to teacher for generations - just kidding. But in all seriousness, if anyone does know where or from whom these games originated, please let me know so I can include credit!

The first game is an easy one. Multiplication war. All the students need is a deck of cards - piece of cake! Students play like normal war - split the deck, pull a card, but the first student to say the correct product wins the cards. This game could also be done with addition and subtraction - fun for all ages! One thing to note is that this game is best done when students are paired up by skill level. Students need to be evenly matched for this to work out fairly.

I have no idea the name of this next game, so I called it "Add it Up!" I know, so original! This one requires a recording sheet of some kind. Students take turns drawing two cards each. They record the number sentence and sum and the student with the greatest sum wins the round. It's great because the winner is determined by the luck of the cards - the students don't need to be partnered up by skill level. Another bonus, this game can be done with multiplication and subtraction facts, too.

**Update: I just received a request for a subtraction version of the recording sheet, so I though I'd share that here as well. Click {HERE} or the picture below to grab that freebie.

Umm, apparently I need new whiteboard markers and also need to try one of those Pinterest tips for cleaning whiteboards, yikes!

Last one for today, and probably my favorite - I just love some place value practice! This one can be done as a whole group or as a small group with a student acting as the number caller. Students set up a game board with dashes for each digit, plus a trash can. You can decide how many digits you want the number to be, depending on what your students are learning. In the above pictures, the game board was set up for a 3-digit number, plus the trash can. Teacher (or student) pulls one card from the deck, tells it to the class and each student must decide where to place the number on their game board, trying to end up with a number with the greatest value. Continue pulling cards one at a time and make sure that students place the number for each turn. Students can use the trash can to discard a number they don't want to use,  but they can only use it once during each round. This game can also be done to create numbers with the least value and can be used for numbers with as many digits as you'd like.

I like this game because it requires skill and a bit of luck - any student can win. It can also reveal a lot - for instance when students are discarding eights and nines and placing ones in the hundreds place. Finally, I like it because it requires students to read their answer - reading large numbers can be a skill that students may not practice enough.

I've created some recording sheets for the "Add it Up!" game, just click the picture below:

I've included sheets for addition and multiplication (cleverly titled "Multiply it!"), as well as versions to be used with dice or playing cards. I've also included two and three partner versions because we all know that as soon as you try to pair up students, you have an odd number, it's inevitable.

Enjoy the weekend!