| There are lots of great math games for teachers to | | | | board and create patterns to continue the game. |
| liven up their math classes and not to mention, develop | | | | Another fun game which can be used to practice |
| interest for math in students! Since everyone enjoys | | | | money skills in the classroom is the Shopping Game. |
| playing games, learning math becomes more user | | | | Begin by creating a mock store in the class with actual |
| friendly and for those who fear it, a lot less frightening! | | | | items or pictures taken from magazines of favorite |
| Students enjoy the immediacy of knowing that they | | | | things. Assign a price to each item and have |
| got a right answer during the game. Likewise, parents | | | | volunteers come to "shop" in the store and purchase a |
| can be encouraged to play games with their children at | | | | few things. Have students work in groups to estimate |
| home and share in the math learning process after | | | | the cost of the purchase and then find the actual price |
| they are given the necessary instructions from the | | | | of items. For more advanced students, you could |
| student or teacher | | | | require them to calculate the tax as well. |
| Math games are a valuable aid to teachers in the | | | | Let's say you wanted to teach a group of students |
| classroom to: | | | | how to subtract numbers without regrouping. You |
| - introduce new skills | | | | could introduce the abstract concept of subtraction by |
| - drill new and old skills | | | | playing a game where the students could concretely |
| - review already learned skills | | | | see that you start with a larger number and take |
| - evaluate students' understanding of fundamental | | | | away a smaller number to finally arrive at your |
| math concepts | | | | answer. After the students are capable of subtracting, |
| They can supplement the regular instruction time or be | | | | you could use games instead of flashcards to drill and |
| used independently by students at learning centers or | | | | review these facts. Finally, you could utilize games to |
| in small groups. | | | | assess their overall speed and ability to complete |
| Many common games can be adjusted to | | | | subtraction problems prior to moving on to the |
| complement a math curriculum. A few of these include: | | | | multiplication lesson. |
| Bingo, Dominoes, Concentration or Matching, Jeopardy, | | | | Because of the fun and lively cooperation (or friendly |
| and Tic-Tac-Toe. Also, consider popular board games | | | | competition) that occurs during play, students will often |
| like Candyland, Monopoly or Monopoly, Jr. as math | | | | ask to play games. They are a legitimate alternative to |
| games for teachers to help students gain a better | | | | the customary worksheets and rote memorization of |
| understanding and retention of math skills. | | | | facts that have long been in use by the teacher. They |
| A math game that can be used in the classroom to | | | | can lead into or follow many math lessons just as you |
| teach patterns is one where students have to | | | | would use other learning aids or manipulatives. Also, |
| duplicate the math patterns represented on the board. | | | | students can be encouraged to share these games |
| The teacher or leader uses different colored magnetic | | | | with their families and encourage parental involvement. |
| tiles to demonstrate a pattern. Students use tiles, | | | | So, use these games and others like them to motivate |
| beads or counting bears at their desks to mimic the | | | | your students and allow them to enjoy math in your |
| teacher's pattern. Solicit volunteers to come up to the | | | | classroom. |