MATH GAMES
for Practice and Building Fluency
Why Games?
Games put us in a “state of play” where taking risks and failure are part of the process and critical thinking and engagement are inevitable!
Deal Me In!
PLAYING CARD ACTIVITIES that TEACH
Check out these videos to learn card games designed to reinforce math standards in the classroom. Remember that older students still need practice with foundational skills, so be sure to also consider the games highlighted below that are designed around standards from previous grade levels. Click on each image to view the video directions. The game boards that are shown in some of the videos can be downloaded by clicking the game board link. Check back for new games that are being added periodically. Have fun!
Sequence to 10
Be the first to sequence your cards 1 to 10. It takes luck, patience, and an understanding of how to sequence numbers.
I Spy 10
K.OA.A.2 K.OA.A.4
A simple game to help students develop their recognition of number pairs that make 10.
Go Fish – Make 10
K.OA.A.4. 1.OA.C.6
This game is played much like the traditional Go Fish game, but there's a twist! Students ask for the card that will go with a card in their hand to make a sum of ten. Check out the video directions below.
Get to Zero
1.OA.C.6
A subtraction game that uses a double 10-frame to help students unify 5s and 10s as they build their understanding and fluency with subtraction. Get to Zero 10-Frame game board
Greatest Sum
1.OA.C.6
For this addition game, allow students to use counters, snap cubes, or a number line as they build fluency with addition facts within 20.
Precisely!
1.NBT.C.4 2.NBT.B.5
Students must use their addition skills to get a sum of the exact target number. This game can be easily modified by adjusting the target number to meet the player's level.
Multiples of 10
1.NBT.C.4 2.NBT.B.5
Students win cards by adding the face value of the cards to get a sum that is a multiple of 10 (10, 20, or 30). I tested this one out by playing it with my trio of 21-year olds and they loved it. We played much longer than a simple test run required.
Close Call 100
2.NBT.B.5 2.NBT.B.6
Students create three 2-digit numbers and then add them together. Points are calculated by determining the distance from 100. Creating an equation with the sum of zero is a perfect score since lowest score wins in this game. Close Call 100 game board
Four in a Row
3.OA.C.7
This multiplication game combines decision-making with basic multiplication fact practice.
Four in a Row game board (multiplication)Fact Fluency Focus
3.OA.C.7
This game is designed to help learners focus on developing fluency with their multiplication facts - yep, the name says it all! Fact Fluency Focus game board
Fraction War
3.NF.A.3
It's a traditional war game, but you'll be challenged a bit more as you declare war on your opponent with fraction values!
Multi-Digit Multiplying Madness
4.NBT.B.5
Two players go head-to-head in this advanced level multiplication game. Each student is dealt 4 cards. They decide how they want to set up those cards in a multiplication expression: 3-digit x 1-digit or 2-digit x 2-digit. The player with the greatest product wins. Multi-Digit Multiplying Madness game board
Division War
4.NBT.B.6
Want to step up your game of war? Try out Division War – it even includes remainders, so students have a chance to hone their skill working with fractional remainders, too.
Get to Zero – Decimals
5.NBT.B.7
During this game, students have an opportunity to practice their skill in decimal subtraction. Check out a few of the awesome strategies shown in the video to make subtracting easier.
MORE GAMES & Game Boards!
Check out one of MY favorite math game sites here >>>>
GRADE 2
2.NBT.B.6 - The 5 by 5 game - a game of strategy and adding multiple 2-digit numbers (it can be modified to a 3 by 3 or 4 by 4, as needed)
GRADE 3
3.MD.C.7 - 36 Boxes
3.NBT.A.2 - Close to 1000
3.OA.C.7 - Climb the Ladder
3.OA.C.7 - Shanghai Four
3.OA.C.7 - Super TicTacToe
3.OA.C.7 - Three in a Row Multiplication
Basic calculations with all four operations - Sweet 16
GRADE 4
4.NF.A.2 - Three in a Row Fractions
4.NF.B.4 - Fraction Frenzy
4.NF.C.7 - High Low
4.NBT.A.2 - Place Value Pyramid
4.NBT.A.2 - Place Value Battle
Basic calculations with all four operations - Sweet 16
GRADE 5
5.G.A.1 - Capture the Treasure
5.G.A.1 - Four Corners
5.NBT.A.3 - More or Less
5.NBT.B.7 - Target Practice
5.OA.A.1 - Master Level Noggle
Basic calculations with all four operations - Sweet 16
Games I presented at CMC-S November 2019 @Palm Springs
Session #725 Fun & Games: Purposeful Play with Numbers
GRADE 3
Sweet 16
3.MD.C.7 - 36 Boxes
3.OA.C.7 - Climb the Ladder
GRADE 4
4.NF.A.2 - Three in a Row Fractions
4.NF.B.4 - Fraction Frenzy
4.NBT.A.2 - Place Value Pyramid
4.NBT.A.2 - Place Value Battle
GRADE 5
5.G.A.1 - Four Corners
5.OA.A.1 - Master Level Noggle
