Math Games Galore

Ever wonder what to do with the kids who always finish early??  Well, during math time, my students get to play math games.  When they finish their independent work, I look over their papers to check for understanding.  When I know they've got it, I assign them a partner, and they play math games.  The partner group chooses the game they would like to play for the remainder of math time.  The kids enjoy playing math games.  It really is an incentive that makes them work hard and use their time wisely.

I use a pocket chart that has 10 slots (I think it was originally made to hold cd's).  Each slot has a label on the front, a card with the directions, and a baggy with the materials inside.  Each baggy is labeled with the game name as well.  With this organization, the kids can quickly choose a game and return it to the correct spot.

 

Click on the pictures below to view/save the game directions.  You will need basic math manipulatives like dice, counters, unifix cubes, and so on to get started.  I always demonstrate how to play all the games at the beginning of the year.

 

   Here are the cards that I use, too.  I like them because they have "counters" right on the cards for your concrete learners.  You will have to print or copy lots of these to make full decks for each game.  Notice that some games only need 0-9 cards (like Two-Digit Big Man) and some will use the 10 card.  I wrote the game name on the back of each card (yes, very tedious work).  But, it keeps the games more organized it the end. 

And that's it!  Now your students have something fun (and educational...even though they don't realize it) to do when they're finished with math!