Math Games for Math Fluency

Hey there, thanks for stopping by.  Do you use math games in your classroom?  My kids absolutely love to play games. However, I sometimes find it difficult to make sure they are actually learning and not just playing around.  Through trial and error, I learned a lot along the way to help me be more successful for when I do use math games in my classroom.

First things first, you need to know what the overall objective is.  What is the purpose for using the specific game?  Hopefully you have picked one that builds upon the concepts you are currently learning in class.  Right now my kids are focussing on one less.  Although this sounds easy, it isn't that easy for all.

Below is what a math lesson might look like in my class for this concept.
Before we use the Roll and Cover Math Games we would do some whole class activities such as word problems, white board work, counting backwards, and number writing.  Each of these activities will all focus on one less.  Starting with word problems I'll engage my students by using their names in my word problems and it usually involves food. Examples...

Ryan had 5 donuts, then he gave one to his favorite teacher. Now he has one less.  How many donuts does Ryan have? Using their white boards I have the kids draw out the word problem then explain it to their math partner.

White board Work- I write a number then call on students to tell me one less.

Counting backward- I state a number then the class begins counting backwards from that given number.

Number writing- I say a number then using their personal white boards students write the number that is one less.

Now it is time for the Roll and Cover Math Games.  All of these math games involve rolling a dice and then covering a space on the math mat.  The game we would be using for this activity would one less. I have several to choose from. I could pick one with numbers, ten frames or a variety of fingers, dice and frames.

Before I pass out any of the materials I demonstrate how to play the game. I do this every time, even if we played the same game the day before.  They are only 5 and 6 years old and they forget!!!   These games all come with dice patterns that you can print and build or you can use foam dice as well.  I also use foam counters for the markers.  They are quick and easy to pass out and clean up.  I will link all of them below.

Once I demonstrate a few times, I quickly call upon one student to demonstrate as well.  I always call a student who I need to make sure they understand the concept.  This lets me quickly assess the situation to see if they are going to need extra help.  Then I send them off with their partners to play.  

Math Partners: My students are paired together with another student who is at their same skill level or just above or below them.  I do not pair an academically high kid with an academically low kid.  I need both partners to work together.  If one partner is really high academically and one is not, then we know what happens, the high kid does all the work.  Finding the perfect partners is challenging.  I often need to change it up and sometimes need to form triads, but eventually it all works out.

If we were working on one more and with larger numbers I'd probably use the same lesson plan above and use one of these math mats.

What I like best about these is that there is literally no prep print and go.  You can skip the laminating part and place in a protective sleeve.  Many teachers tell me they leave them out for students to use as an early finisher assignment.  Other teacher use them to start their morning.  Kids come in and start playing while waiting for other kids to arrive.  

You can find these in my TpT store.  There are 30 different math mats in color and black and white.  and dice to go with the mats is also included.

Materials I use for my Roll and cover Math Games can be found on Amazon.

The following section contains affiliate links, which means if you click on one of the product links, to purchase the product or any other products from this website, I'll receive a commission.  I use the money to purchase items such as books, cardstock and lamination for my classroom.

Do you play math games with your students? Drop me a comment, I'm always wanting to learn about new games to add to my bag of tricks.  

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